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What’s All The Talk about Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese is having its own moment right now as a delicious, protein packed food product. This soft, white, and curdy cheese is low in calories, high in protein (packed with over 50 total grams of protein), and exceptionally nutritious containing nutrients, such as B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium. Its high protein content is what keeps us feeling fuller for longer, helping with any weight loss or muscle gain journeys.


Whether it's incorporated as an ingredient into a recipe or enjoyed on its own, cottage cheese makes for an excellent high-protein versatile food choice that is highly recommended as part of a healthy and well-balanced diet. 


What even is it exactly?

Cottage cheese is a soft, white, and creamy cheese. It is  considered a fresh cheese, so it does not undergo an aging or ripening process to develop flavor. As a result, it has a very mild flavor compared with aged cheeses.


Cottage cheese is made from the curds of various levels of pasteurized cow’s milk, including nonfat, reduced-fat, or regular milk. It’s also offered in different curd sizes, including small, medium, or large, and is available in creamed, whipped, lactose-free, reduced sodium, or sodium-free varieties.


Brands we like.

There are several types of cottage cheese out there to choose from, but  here are some of our favorites at AFE that we like to use. We recommend going with one that's at least 4% fat for the best texture and flavor, but it's always up to you

  • Daisy - This popular brand that is easy to locate contains very minimal ingredients - cultured milk, cream, salt, and vitamin A.

  • Good Culture - Good culture cottage cheese only has 5 simple ingredients: skim milk, whole milk, cream, sea salt, and live and active cultures. 

  • Store brands - You may find a store brand like Kroger, Whole Foods or HEB works well for you, however look for one without gums. 


Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip - is light, fluffy, creamy, and salty. It only takes a few minutes to make and can be enjoyed as a dip for veggies or crackers, spread on toast, or enjoyed with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.


Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (16 oz) cottage cheese (for best results use whole milk or 2%, not fat-free)

Instructions:

  • Place the cottage cheese in a food processor and blend for about 30 seconds.

  • Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. 

  • Blend again until completely smooth.

Garnish options:

  • Drizzle of hot honey or olive oil anand a sprinkle of pistachios, red pepper flakes, lemon zest or fresh herbs.


Spread on toast with jam or a drizzle of honey or spread on crostini. It makes for a great dip, served with cut up veggies, pita, or crackers. You can also put the whipped cottage cheese in a bowl and top with fresh fruit or a simple cucumber tomato salad → Try adding it to your next Mediterranean grazing board to please any crowd!!


Can you buy whipped cottage cheese? - Yes! Some brands make pre-whipped cottage cheese but it may be harder to find or contain more additives to keep it stable for longer. 


I still hate cottage cheese - what can I use instead? - Ricotta when whipped is also delicious, light and fluffy. You could also blend goat cheese for a stronger flavor. This works well as a topping for crostini or mixed into breakfast bowls with fruit.


Erika Richter, MS


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