Since the global pandemic, there has been an increased awareness of health-conscious diets and training regimes. With the focus on locally sourced food products, cottage cheese has emerged as a superfood due to its significant nutritional value of protein.
Moreover, it is also regarded as a versatile source of iron, magnesium, and calcium. The calcium content of cottage cheese is reported by experts to match the 8% of the daily recommended dosage of calcium.
However, many people do not like to consume cottage cheese in raw form and wish to add this superfood to their diet in a delicious manner.
Therefore, this comprehensive guide will provide you with three creative recipes that you can add cottage cheese to your diet that suit every palate.
1. Cherry Cheese Blintzes
Creating a cottage cheese recipe is not solely about adding the prime ingredient but also about making the dish palatable for diverse tastes. Cherry cheese blintzes are one of those versatile cottage cheese recipes that can either be served as a brunch starter or wrapped in the meal as a delicious dessert.
Ingredients:
3 large eggs, 2 tbsp butter, 1-½ cups 2% milk, 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt.
For Filling:
Three ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, 1 cup 4% cottage cheese, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
For Cherry Sauce:
One pound of frozen or fresh pitted sweet cherries, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 and 2/3 cups of tablespoon water.
Recipe:
- Combine the liquid material like milk, eggs, and butter in a small mixing basin. Then, add flour and salt, combine with milk mixture, and mix well. Refrigerate for 2 hours, covered.
- Place 2 tablespoons batter in the center of a lightly oiled 8-inch nonstick skillet. Coat the bottom evenly by lifting and tilting the pan. Cook until the top seems dry; flip and cook for another 15-20 seconds. Transfer to a wire rack. Rep with the remaining batter. When the crepes are cold, layer them with waxed paper or paper towels in between. Refrigerate after wrapping it with foil.
- Blend cottage cheese until smooth in a blender. Transfer to a small mixing dish and stir in the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the sugar and vanilla extract. One round tablespoon should be plenty for each crepe. Form a little bundle by folding the opposite sides of the crepe over filling.
- Place seam side down in a well-oiled baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350°C for 10 minutes or until well heated.
- Furthermore, in a large saucepan over medium heat, mix cherries, 2/3 cup water, and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes or until well cooked.
- Stir together cornstarch and remaining water until smooth; add to cherry mixture. Let the mixture simmer while stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until thickened, and serve alongside crepes.
Nutritional Value Per 2 Serving:
245 calories, 10g fat, 306mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate, 8g protein, 97mg cholesterol.
2. Cottage Cheese Pizza Toasts
Ingredients:
One thick slice of sourdough bread, toasted, 2 teaspoons parmesan cheese, 2 to 3 tablespoons warmed marinara sauce or basil pesto, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh basil torn, 1 teaspoon quality olive oil.
Other Toppings:
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, mini pepperoni, hot honey, and a runny soft-boiled egg.
- Flavored olive oils, such as garlic or chili.
- Dried spices, such as red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or oregano
Recipe:
- Top the toasted sourdough bread with marinara sauce or pesto, followed by cottage cheese. Sprinkle on grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add your desired pizza toast toppings. Add fresh basil on top. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value Per Serving:
498 calories, 21g protein, 41g carbohydrates, 28g fat, 15.4mg cholesterol.
3. Spinach Turnovers
The crispy and flaky texture of cheese pastries is elevated with an exquisite combination of spinach, cottage cheese, and other flavorful ingredients. These spinach turnovers make an ideal addition to your friend’s brunch or as an appetizer for a lovely date.
Ingredients:
16 ounces cream cheese, softened, ¾ cup softened butter, 2-½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt
For Filling:
Ten ounces of thoroughly drained and thawed frozen chopped spinach, 5 sliced bacon pieces, ¼ cup finely diced onion, 2 finely minced garlic cloves, 1 cup 4% cottage cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 1/8 teaspoon crushed nutmeg, 1 large beaten egg, salsa (optional).
Recipe:
- Start by adding butter and cream cheese in a mixing basin and whisk until creamy. Combine the flour and salt; gradually incorporate into the creamed mixture. Roll the ingredients out on a floured surface and knead it gently 10 times. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, covered.
- Cook bacon till crisp in a skillet. Remove the bacon and set aside 1 tablespoon of the drippings. In drippings, sauté onion and garlic until soft. Take the pan off the heat and whisk in the bacon, spinach, cottage cheese, and spices. Cool.
- Roll out dough in a thick sheet of 1/8-inch on a lightly floured board. Cut into 3-inch circles and egg-wash the edges. Fill each circular with 1 heaping spoonful of filling. Fold over and secure the edges. With a fork, prick the tops. Brush with the egg.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown, at 400°C. If desired, serve with salsa.
Nutritional Value Per Serving:
103 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 129mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
Conclusion
Cottage cheese is an all-round low-calorie powerhouse, making it a preferred choice for many health enthusiasts. From crispy pizza toast to savory spinach turnovers, cottage cheese can be seamlessly blended to create delicious dishes customized to appeal to diverse palates.
