The Versatility of Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a soft, white cheese curd product that is mild in flavor. It has a creamy texture that makes it very versatile to cook with. Cottage cheese is packed with protein, low in fat and calories, and high in calcium. This wonder ingredient can be used in so many ways in cooking and pairs well with both sweet and savory foods.
Health Benefits of Cottage Cheese
There are many health benefits associated with cottage cheese that make it a smart addition to your diet. Here are some of the top benefits:
- High in protein - Just one cup of cottage cheese provides 28 grams of protein. The protein helps keep you full and satisfied.
- Low in calories - With only 163 calories in one cup, cottage cheese is a nutrient dense food that promotes weight loss.
- High in calcium - Cottage cheese has 138 mg of calcium per cup, helping build strong bones.
- Probiotics - The live cultures in cottage cheese promote gut health.
- Versatile - It can be incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes.
Tips for Cooking and Baking with Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is easy to use in recipes, but there are some tips that make cooking with it even easier:
- Drain the excess liquid - Draining off the liquid helps prevent a watery texture in dips or baked goods.
- Blend it - For a creamy texture with no lumps, blend cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth.
- Temper with heat - When adding to hot dishes, temper the cottage cheese first by stirring in a little hot liquid to prevent curdling.
- Use in place of ricotta - The similar texture makes it a seamless substitution in lasagna or other baked dishes calling for ricotta.
- Sweeten as needed - When using in sweets, taste the dish first as cottage cheese can be naturally salty.
Savory Ways to Enjoy Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese pairs deliciously with an array of savory ingredients. If you want to eat more cottage cheese, here are some tasty savory ways to enjoy it:
1. Baked Potatoes
Top baked potatoes with cottage cheese instead of regular sour cream. The cottage cheese adds a creamy, cool contrast to the hot potato along with extra protein. Add chives, crumbled bacon, sautéed mushrooms or green onions for even more texture and flavor.
2. Eggs
Cottage cheese protein-loads your morning eggs. Simply fold chunks of cottage cheese into scrambled eggs before cooking. You can also bake eggs in muffin tins with cottage cheese in the bottom of each cup before cracking the egg on top.
3. Lasagna
Cottage cheese can be seamlessly substituted for ricotta in lasagna. Simply blend the cottage cheese until smooth first. The cottage cheese adds plenty of extra protein to this Italian favorite.
4. Wraps
Smear cottage cheese onto tortillas or flatbread as a base layer before adding your favorite wrap fillings. The cottage cheese adds extra thickness and nutrient density. Some tasty combinations include turkey and spinach, ham with cucumber and tomato, and chicken salad with lettuce.
5. Pasta
Toss cubes of cottage cheese into any pasta dish for a protein punch. It complements pasta types like fusilli, farfalle and rotini especially well, catching in the shapes and crevices. Simply stir cottage cheese cubes into your finished pasta right before serving.
6. Nachos
Melted cheese is what makes nachos great, so swap out part of the shredded cheese for cottage cheese to add more protein. Layer on the tortilla chips then top with cottage cheese, shredded cheese, beans, salsa and your other favorite toppings.
Sweet Ways to Eat Cottage Cheese
While most people associate cottage cheese with savory dishes, it can also be used in a variety of sweet treats. If you have a sweet tooth, satisfy your sugar craving with cottage cheese through these tasty ways:
1. Parfaits
Layer cottage cheese with fruit, granola, jam, peanut butter, honey or chia seeds in a parfait glass. The options for parfait combinations are endless for a quick breakfast or snack. The cottage cheese adds protein to keep you fuller longer.
2. Pancakes
Fluffy cottage cheese pancakes can become your new go-to weekend breakfast. Simply swap out the milk in your favorite pancake recipe for cottage cheese. Blend until smooth first. You'll get extra fluffy, protein-packed pancakes.
3. Cheesecake Dip
Blend cottage cheese with cream cheese, sugar and vanilla or other flavors like lemon or chocolate to make an easy, no-bake cheesecake dip. Top graham cracker crumbs or fresh fruit for sweet yet protein-rich treat.
4. Fruit Pizza
Make cottage cheese the "frosting" on fruit pizza. Spread cottage cheese over a sugar cookie crust then artfully arrange fruit slices on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Kids will love this fun, hand-held dessert.
5. Protein Smoothies
Add a scoop of cottage cheese to your morning smoothie for extra thickness
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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