In an era when the kitchen was considered a woman’s domain, my grandfather was the family cook, and an excellent one at that. My grandma on the other hand, cooked very little, with a limited repertoire of dishes. This easy cottage cheese dip was one of them. It was something that came out for company, to keep guests satiated while my grandfather worked his magic in the kitchen and my grandmother played the piano.
Easy Cottage Cheese Dip for Snack or Appetizer
This easy cottage cheese dip became the appetizer staple in my house growing up as well. We knew to expect guests when my mother would pull together its few ingredients — cottage cheese, red onion, parsley, mayonnaise, and black pepper — along with crackers and vegetables for dipping.
Serve with Veggies, Crackers, Pretzels, or even Chips
I make it just as my mom and grandma did, using the cottage cheese container as a mixing bowl. It’s one less dish to clean and does the job perfectly well. For serving, I empty the finished dip into a ceramic bowl with whatever is in the crisper drawer appropriate for scooping: carrots, celery, cucumber, snap peas, and radishes, just to name a few. I also like it with salted pretzel thins and Triscuits. This is old school snacking, after all.
Is Cottage Cheese Healthy?
Even though cottage cheese has a reputation for being dull “diet” food, its mild taste is exactly what makes it ideal for the flavors and textures in this recipe. Cottage cheese is also a wholesome source of protein. It also doesn’t pack a whole lot of calories, just 90 per 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese. It gets even healthier when served with a bundle of crunchy vegetables, a nourishing tide-me-over for kids and adults awaiting dinner. It’s also my “go to” for a light lunch that works well for kid’s lunch boxes, too. Folks who are watching their salt intake may want keep an eye on the cottage cheese, though, since it has roughly 300 mg per serving.
Cottage Cheese is Comfort Food
Regardless of how healthy or easy this recipe is, for me, it’s all comfort. As options for appetizers have blossomed from the seven layer creations of my childhood to artisanal cheeses, exotic spreads, and crostini of every stripe, there continues to be a place for my grandmother’s humble invention.
For more dip ideas, check out:
Easy 3-Ingredient Dips from Food Confidence
Classic Guacamole from Hola Jalapeño
Easy Cottage Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- One 16-ounce container low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use light Best Foods)
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine the cottage cheese, mayonnaise, parsley, and onion. Add several generous turns with your pepper grinder. Stir well and serve with cut up raw vegetables and/or crackers.
