Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
This Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is a delightful twist on the classic egg salad, offering a creamy, tangy flavor with a healthier profile. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or as a light snack, this dish is not only delicious but also quick to prepare. With its unique blend of cottage cheese and eggs, it stands out as a nutritious option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier Alternative: This recipe uses cottage cheese instead of heavy mayonnaise, making it lower in fat while still creamy.
- Quick and Easy: With just 16 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this dish in no time.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it on toast, in wraps, or as a dip with vegetables.
- Packed with Protein: Each serving provides 13 grams of protein, perfect for fueling your day.
- Customizable Flavor: Adjust the seasoning and ingredients to suit your taste preferences easily.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the recipe, gather the necessary tools to streamline your cooking process.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Small pot
- Strainer
- Mixing bowl
- Fork
- Knife
Importance of Each Tool
- Small pot: Ideal for boiling eggs efficiently without taking up too much space.
- Strainer: Helps cool down the boiled eggs quickly by removing hot water.
- Mixing bowl: Provides ample space to combine all ingredients without mess.
- Fork: Great for mashing the egg yolks and mixing the dressing smoothly.
Ingredients
This cottage cheese egg salad is a healthier, low-fat version of classic egg salad. It’s creamy, tangy, delicious and simple to make. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or brunch or as a satisfying snack.
For the Salad
- ³ cup cottage cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 5-6 tablespoons scallions/spring onion (finely chopped)
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon-style mustard (or to taste)
- ⅓ teaspoon fine sea salt (and black pepper to taste)
- ⅓ teaspoon red pepper flakes
How to Make Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Step 1: Boil Eggs
Place the eggs in a small pot and add enough water to cover them. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the pot for 7-8 minutes without removing the lid.
– TIP: This method ensures perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs.
Step 2: Cool Eggs
After boiling, strain the eggs and immerse them in very cold water.
– Add ice cubes if possible for optimal cooling.
– Let them cool for about 2 minutes. Change out the water or add more ice cubes after 30 seconds if needed.
– Drain off the water, then wipe and peel the eggs.
Step 3: Chop Eggs
Cut each egg in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks from 4 of the eggs and place them into a shallow bowl.
– Finely chop the remaining whole eggs along with their whites and set aside.
Step 4: Make Dressing Mixture
Combine the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard in the bowl.
– Mash everything together using a fork until it becomes thick and creamy; it doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth.
Step 5: Assemble
In a mixing bowl, add chopped eggs along with remaining cottage cheese, scallions, creamy dressing mixture, salt, black pepper to taste, and most of the red pepper flakes.
– Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
– Adjust seasonings if necessary and sprinkle remaining red pepper flakes on top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving if possible.
How to Serve Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is versatile and can be enjoyed in many delicious ways. Whether you’re looking for a light meal or a hearty snack, here are some serving suggestions that will elevate your dish.
On Toast
- Whole Grain Bread: Spread the egg salad onto toasted whole grain bread for a nutritious breakfast option.
- Avocado Toast: Top your avocado toast with a generous scoop of the egg salad for added protein and flavor.
In a Wrap
- Lettuce Wraps: Use large lettuce leaves to create refreshing wraps filled with the egg salad for a low-carb alternative.
- Tortilla Wraps: Spread the salad on a tortilla, add some greens, roll it up, and enjoy as a quick lunch.
As a Dip
- Vegetable Platter: Serve the egg salad alongside fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers for a healthy snack.
- Crackers: Pair it with whole-grain crackers or pita chips for an easy appetizer at gatherings.
With Salads
- Mixed Greens Salad: Add dollops of the egg salad to mixed greens for extra protein and creaminess.
- Potato Salad: Mix in some of the egg salad with your favorite potato salad recipe to enhance flavor and texture.
How to Perfect Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
To achieve the best results with your Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad, consider these helpful tips.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh scallions and high-quality cottage cheese to enhance the flavors.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste before serving; feel free to adjust salt, pepper, or mustard based on your preference.
- Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes helps meld the flavors together beautifully.
- Experiment with Herbs: Add fresh herbs like dill or parsley for an extra layer of flavor that complements the dish well.
- Try Different Mustards: Experiment with various types of mustard such as whole grain or honey mustard for unique twists on taste.
- Add Crunch: Incorporate chopped nuts or seeds for an unexpected crunch that enhances texture.
Best Side Dishes for Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Pairing side dishes with your Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad can create a balanced meal. Here are some great options to consider.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits adds sweetness and balance to your meal.
- Crispy Potato Wedges: Oven-baked potato wedges provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts nicely with the creamy egg salad.
- Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw offers freshness and complements the richness of the egg salad perfectly.
- Quinoa Salad: A light quinoa salad packed with veggies contributes additional protein and fiber to your plate.
- Pickles or Olives: These add a briny kick that pairs well with the creaminess of the egg salad.
- Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal roasted vegetables bring warmth and depth, making your meal more filling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making a Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad can be straightforward, but small mistakes can affect the taste and texture. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Overcooking the eggs: Cooking eggs too long can make them rubbery. Stick to a timer and follow the recommended boiling method for perfect hard-boiled eggs.
- Skipping the cooling step: Not cooling the eggs quickly can lead to overcooking. Immerse them in cold water immediately after boiling for the best results.
- Not seasoning properly: Under-seasoning can make your salad bland. Taste as you mix and adjust salt, pepper, and spices to enhance flavor.
- Using low-quality ingredients: Cheap mayonnaise or cottage cheese can impact flavor. Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for a delicious salad.
- Forgetting to chill: Skipping refrigeration before serving can result in a less flavorful dish. Allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes for better flavor integration.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container.
- Best consumed within 3 days for optimal freshness.
Freezing Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes when thawed.
- If necessary, consume within 1 month but expect altered consistency.
Reheating Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and heat in an oven-safe dish until warm.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals (15-20 seconds) until just warm; stir in between.
- Stovetop: Heat gently in a nonstick pan on low heat, stirring frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s some helpful information regarding the Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad recipe:
Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes, you can experiment with other cheeses like Greek yogurt or cream cheese for different flavors.
How do I make this egg salad vegetarian?
The recipe is naturally vegetarian as it contains no meat. Just ensure all ingredients are vegetarian-friendly.
What can I serve with Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad?
This salad pairs well with whole-grain bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Can I customize the flavors?
Absolutely! Add herbs like dill or parsley, or spices such as paprika to create your perfect version.
Final Thoughts
This Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad offers a delightful twist on a classic dish. It’s creamy, tangy, and satisfying while being healthier than traditional recipes. Feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack!
Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
Description
Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is a refreshing twist on the classic dish, combining the creaminess of cottage cheese with protein-packed eggs for a healthier option. This quick and easy recipe takes just minutes to prepare, making it ideal for breakfast, lunch, or a light snack. With its tangy flavor and versatile serving options, this egg salad is perfect for toast, wraps, or as a dip with fresh vegetables. Enjoy nourishing yourself with this nutritious delight that doesn’t compromise on taste!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 5–6 tablespoons scallions (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/3 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/3 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Boil the eggs: Place eggs in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let sit covered for 7-8 minutes.
- Cool the eggs: Strain and immerse them in cold water for about 2 minutes to cool quickly.
- Chop the eggs: Remove yolks from 4 eggs and chop all eggs into small pieces.
- Prepare the dressing: In a bowl, mash egg yolks with cottage cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard until creamy.
- Combine: In a mixing bowl, mix chopped eggs, remaining cottage cheese, scallions, dressing mixture, salt, and pepper until well combined. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (125g)
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 370mg
