Description
A vibrant, protein-packed Cottage Cheese and Fruit Salad that combines creamy cottage cheese with fresh fruits and optional nuts and herbs. This easy-to-make, refreshing dish is nutritious, supports digestion, and is perfect for a healthy snack or meal.
Ingredients
Creamy Base
- Cottage Cheese (low-fat or full-fat) – 1 cup
Fresh Fruits
- Mixed fresh fruits (berries, apples, peaches) – 1 to 1.5 cups, washed and chopped
Optional Sweetener
- Honey or Maple Syrup – 1 teaspoon (optional)
Toppings
- Chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts) – 2 tablespoons
- Fresh mint or basil leaves – a few leaves, chopped or whole
Instructions
- Prepare Your Fruit: Wash and chop your chosen fruits into bite-sized pieces to ensure every forkful has a juicy burst of flavor. Mixing different textures like crisp apples with soft berries creates a delightful eating experience.
- Spoon the Cottage Cheese: Place a generous scoop of cottage cheese into your serving bowl or plate. It’s the creamy foundation that balances the sweet and tart notes from the fruits.
- Combine and Toss Gently: Gently fold the chopped fruits into the cottage cheese, trying not to mash the fruit but ensuring everything is evenly mixed for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Add Toppings and Sweetener: Sprinkle chopped nuts and herbs over the salad. If you like a hint of extra sweetness, drizzle honey or maple syrup lightly to enhance the natural sugars.
- Chill Before Serving (Optional): For an even more refreshing experience, refrigerate the salad for 15 to 20 minutes to let flavors meld and textures firm up slightly.
Notes
- Use fresh, seasonal fruit for optimal flavor and nutrients.
- Pat fruits like berries dry to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Experiment with cottage cheese textures: small curd for creamier, large curd for more bite.
- Add citrus zest (lemon or orange) to brighten the flavor.
- Serve immediately for best texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: cottage cheese salad, fruit salad, healthy snack, protein salad, low calorie salad, gluten free snack
