White Bean Dip made creamier by blending cannellini beans and cottage cheese. Seasoned with thyme, vinegar, smoked paprika and garlic oil and you’ve got a healthier version of a classic appetizer.
Serve this cannellini bean dip with your favorite crudités and some warm pita wedges and you’re ready to cheer on those Broncos.
Thanks to the folks over at Daisy Brands for alerting me to the fact that not only do they make my favorite choice for sour cream, they also make cottage cheese!
Today’s post is sponsored by Daisy Brand but my love for cottage cheese is all my own.
I grew up with cottage cheese as a staple in the fridge and I’ve been a fan all my life. Mom used to simply place a big scoop of it on a leaf of crisp iceberg lettuce for a side salad at dinner.
And I’d like a show of hands of how many of you were served cottage cheese Jello salads in the 60’s. Yup, mom was all over that one.
Growing up on a farm in Kansas was a fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy type of life. When I moved to Colorado in my 20’s, hard labor was replaced with corporate office life. But I very quickly learned that Colorado has a culture for health. Almost everyone I met valued lifestyle, physical activity and good clean food.
It comes with the territory as we have a natural perk here in Colorado…it’s our weather. Even in the Winter months, our high plains desert climate offers us warm enough days to get outside for some fresh mountain air. Colorado is a paradise for the out-of-doors enthusiasts. Our Mile High City alone offers a labyrinth of over 850 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Being surrounded by an active lifestyle inspired me to be a clean eater. I’ve never been one to jump on any fad diet band wagon, but early on adopted a theory to stay off the processed food aisles and stick with lean meats, vegetables and fruit.
That, along with as much exercise as I can fit in, allows my weekends to be filled with occasional indulgences of cheeseburgers and pasta.
Most mornings you’ll find cottage cheese and fruit on my plate for breakfast. My favorite, when in season is sliced Colorado Western Slope peaches and cottage cheese.
Other attractive cottage cheese pairings are mango or pineapple and cottage cheese. It’s a delicious and healthy way to start your day with protein and fruit.
Many times you’ll find me eating lunch at my desk and a simple and healthy plate is a creamy avocado and scoop of cottage cheese. At my age the doctor tells me I need to pay attention to calcium and Daisy Cottage Cheese is loaded with it.
Talk about clean eating, Daisy Brand is 100% pure with no additives, preservatives or added growth hormones. It’s also a great source of protein and is gluten free.
Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or football watching, what’s your favorite way to add cottage cheese to your meals?
White Bean Dip with Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup cottage cheese 2 percent
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon or more garlic oil for drizzling
- Chopped chives for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon sun-dried tomatoes for garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor combine the beans, vinegar, thyme, salt, pepper, paprika and olive oil. Puree until smooth, Add cottage and pulse until blended, leaving the texture a little chunky.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with the garlic oil, and sprinkle on chives and sun-dried tomatoes.
White Bean Dip with Cottage Cheese…It’s what’s for an Appetizer.
Thanks to Daisy Brand for sponsoring today’s discussion
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
Great idea to use cottage cheese in bean dip- I hate bean dip that is too “beany”
LOL, I suppose I hate dips that are too beany too.
I haven’t switched over to cottage cheese but I do like using Greek Yogurt as a substitute for mayo or sour cream these days.
And I’m not a big Greek Yogurt fan. I’m trying.
This dip looks so appetizing, yet healthy. I’m with you on how good the Daisy brand is too – always try to get it when I can. Thanks for stopping by our Happy Holidays Link Party – be sure to join us again this week (beginning on Saturday at 7 pm ET) and every week through the holidays.
Thanks Laura.
I’ve come to really love cottage cheese. It’s a perfect breakfast or lunch — so much protein! And a really good flavor. We usually buy the 4% fat — much more flavor, IMO. Love this dip! Very creative — thanks.
I totally agree, I prefer the 4%. Thanks John.
I love cottage cheese on a piece of toasted whole wheat bread for breakfast too. I try to buy local brands since I live in the “Dairy State”. I just read Daisy Brand began in Chicago – just a few miles down the lake from here 🙂
I’m pretty picky about my Cottage Cheese and really liked the texture and flavor of Daisy. I didn’t realize they started in Chicago.
HI Lea Ann, love this dip! I’m a white bean fiend. Cottage cheese and tomatoes are a summer lunch staple. Will try it with avocados!
I’m a big fan of white beans also. And a big YES to cottage cheese and tomatoes. Wish I had some pretty ones, I’d add a photo of that to the mix.
I love cottage cheese! I often make a dip by stirring in some garlic and thyme, but your bean dip looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it.
I will be stirring in garlic and thyme very soon. Thanks for the idea Linda.
You shared some great ideas about how to enjoy my cottage cheese. I am really liking the bean dip, and serving up cottage cheese with an avocado.
Velva
I’m an avocado freak=o and feel so healthy pairing it with cottage cheese.
I grew up hating cottage cheese. I couldn’t bear the texture of it in my mouth. I was probably over 20 before I learned to enjoy it. I like how you’ve added this to your bean dip. That photo is lovely!
I’ve never heard of Daisy before but the name instantly says dairy to me. 🙂
I can understand that Maureen and I’m unsure why as a kid I didn’t feel the same way?
The dip looks very good LA and great job with the presentation. I eat cottage cheese several times a week and generally buy it two quarts at a time but we rarely mix it with something like you did here.
Us too Larry. We’re fans.
This looks like a yummy healthy dip. I have always loved Daisy brand products. Maybe it’s because that is also my dog’s name.
I always grab for Daisy when I buy sour cream, and now that will be the norm for my cottage cheese.
Oh, nuclear green jello salad with cottage cheese??? Why, yes, I remember those jiggling lime things on holiday tables. You dip sounds delicious and I love cottage cheese. I just don’t eat as much as I should, but your plate with the avocado has me inspired as well.
LOL, some of those I liked and some were very peculiar.
Cottage cheese has been a dieters best friend for years. I love that you’ve lightened your bean dip with cottage cheese. Long before the low-fat craze I made a mock sour cream with cottage cheese that was delicious and low-cal.
Sam
I’ve always wondered about using cottage cheese when I don’t have sour cream. There’s always cottage cheese in my fridge.
I love the idea of using cottage cheese in your bean dip!
Thanks Pam, the hubs gave it a thumbs up, so I knew it was a winner.
I am NOT brand loyal to any product. The store brand will always preform.
I’m pretty picky about the texture of Cottage Cheese, so stick to what I like. I agree some store brands are really good. What store brand do you like ?