Foods That Compliment Philly

Nothing tastes better than a toasted bagel and cream cheese. I know that some may think this a bland and boring, but to me its classic and it hits the spot. A plain bagel is the perfect canvas for the cream cheese to really pop, but I know that a bulky bagel isn’t the only way to compliment Philadelphia cream cheese. In fact there are a variety of flavors and foods that bring out all of Philly’s great qualities.

To bring out the sweetness of the cream cheese try pairing it with some sliced fruit or berries. Strawberries and apples especially bring out that little bit of sweet and tart in the cheese. Try topping apple rings with some original Philly, or add some sliced strawberries on to your bagel and cream cheese. Another way to really bring out the sugary side of Philly is to make an updated version of cinnamon toast. Spread a layer of Philadelphia original cream cheese on a piece of toast and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. It sounds a little weird, but it tastes amazing.

If you want to bring out the tangier or savory side of Philly, try mixing in a little lemon juice, and fresh dill into it, and then spread it on your bagel, cracker, or toast. This will really bring out the zest in each bite. Or for something that tastes a little more savory try mixing in bits of smoked salmon into a tub of Philadelphia. I love this because it’s salty and creamy and tastes great on a Triscuit.

            In my opinion, the best food or flavor to complement Philadelphia cream cheese is chocolate. You may think I am way off on this one, but think about it – cream cheese brownies, chocolate cheesecake; I think we may be on to something people. One of my favorite desserts is dark chocolate devils food cake with cream cheese frosting, and it has to be with cream cheese frosting. Any other flavor just doesn’t do it for me, unless its chocolate cream cheese frosting. It may be because they share similar qualities, a smooth texture and creamy texture, and a sweet and savory taste. These two were made for each other!