Description
Cottage Cheese and Spinach Salad blends Mediterranean freshness with tangy protein-packed goodness. Cool green leaves and silky cheese create a light, nutritious meal that satisfies without overwhelming your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
Vegetables:
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
Nuts and Dried Fruits:
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Gather a spacious mixing vessel and delicately layer velvety cottage cheese with crisp, vibrant spinach leaves.
- Artfully scatter ruby-red dried cranberries and rustic, crunchy walnuts across the verdant landscape, introducing contrasting textures and nuanced flavor profiles.
- Create a light vinaigrette by elegantly streaming extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the salad components.
- Enhance the dish with a precise sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring balanced seasoning.
- Employ a gentle folding technique to integrate all ingredients, maintaining the delicate structure of the cottage cheese and preventing leaf bruising.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter immediately to preserve the ingredients’ pristine freshness and optimal temperature.
- Present the salad as a vibrant, refreshing side dish or light meal, celebrating the harmonious blend of creamy, tangy, and nutty elements.
Notes
- Swap cottage cheese for silken tofu to create a vegan-friendly version with similar creamy texture.
- Toast walnuts lightly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a more robust crunch.
- Use fresh lemon zest alongside juice to amplify the citrusy brightness and add another layer of zesty complexity.
- Experiment with different herb combinations like fresh dill or chives to customize the salad’s overall taste profile and make it more interesting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg