Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl (Print version)

Creamy cottage cheese combined with crisp veggies and fresh herbs for a nutritious start.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup cottage cheese, low-fat or whole milk

→ Fresh Vegetables

02 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
06 - 1 small radish, thinly sliced

→ Toppings and Flavorings

07 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
12 - Pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes, optional
13 - 1 tablespoon toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, optional

# Directions:

01 - Divide cottage cheese evenly between two serving bowls as the base.
02 - Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, spinach, and radish on top of cottage cheese in a visually appealing pattern.
03 - Drizzle each bowl with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika or chili flakes if desired.
04 - Top with chopped chives, parsley, and toasted seeds.
05 - Serve immediately, mixing ingredients together just before eating.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes, which means you can actually make it on a busy morning instead of scrolling through your phone with an empty stomach.
  • The creamy cottage cheese against the crisp vegetables creates this textural contrast that keeps every bite interesting.
  • You'll actually feel full and energized for hours, not hungry again by mid-morning.
02 -
  • If your cottage cheese is too cold straight from the fridge, it tastes dull and chalky—let it sit for a few minutes or even spoon it into the bowl and let the kitchen air warm it slightly, and suddenly everything tastes better.
  • The vegetables release liquid as they sit, so if you're making this ahead, add the dressing and herbs just before eating or the whole thing becomes weepy and sad.
03 -
  • Buy cottage cheese from the back of the case where it's freshest, and if your store makes their own, that's usually your best bet for texture and taste that actually excites you.
  • Prep your vegetables the night before if mornings are chaotic, but keep them separate in containers and assemble fresh in the morning so everything stays bright and crisp.
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