By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA
February 22nd, 2019
Cottage cheese, we all know it well – “diet food” and “weight loss” staple. However, if you don’t consider all of the potential sweet & savory pairings, you’re totally missing out! Yes, cottage cheese can be the foundation to a nutrient-rich AND delicious meal.
One serving of low fat cottage cheese contains 13 grams of protein and only 90 calories! That’s sweet news for muscle and your waistline. Cottage cheese can improve the overall nutrition profile of a recipe by increasing the protein content, decreasing calories and lowering the fat content, especially when substituted for other cheese choices.
Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing…
Savory Pairings:
- Red Peppers, Sunflower Seeds + Cottage Cheese
- Kale and Rosemary Almonds + Cottage Cheese
- Tomatoes with Cilantro & Avocado + Cottage Cheese
- Marinated Artichokes & Sun-dried tomatoes + Cottage Cheese
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Hazelnuts + Cottage Cheese
Sweet Pairings:
- Mandarin Oranges & Toasted Almonds + Cottage Cheese
- Bananas & Pecans + Cottage Cheese
- Granny Smith Apples & Cinnamon + Cottage Cheese
- Grapefruit with Mint & Honey + Cottage Cheese
- Dried Figs with Pistachios & Cardamom + Cottage Cheese
- Dried cranberries + Cottage cheese
Comforting Breakfast Bowl
Prep: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 Serving
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Friendship Dairies® cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 tbsp. golden raisins
- 1 tbsp. walnuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp. pumpkin seeds
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 tbsp. coconut sugar
Alternatives for coconut sugar – optional:
2 dates, chopped, or 1/2 banana, sliced
Directions:
- Gently mix the cooked quinoa, raisins, and chopped walnuts into the cottage cheese. Top with pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes and coconut sugar.
TIP: Can’t find coconut sugar? Use chopped dates or sliced banana instead.
Source: Friendship Dairies®