Cottage Cheese
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Cottage cheese is a favorite for eating with fruit, but it's also a versatile recipe ingredient in lasagnas, casseroles, blintzes and cheesecakes.
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History
Richard M. Nixon was a notable cottage cheese lover, notorious for eating his cheese covered with ketchup.Varieties
Cottage cheese is available is several forms and varieties. First, the curd size can be small, medium or large (sometimes called "popcorn"). Small curd cheese is made up of smaller curds that are rather firm because they have been heated for a longer period time. Larger curd cheese is made up of larger, softer curds.Most cottage cheese is "creamed," meaning a milk or cream mixture has been added to the curds. Creamed cottage cheese comes in whole-milk (4-8% milk fat) or low-fat (1-2% milk fat) varieties. Nonfat (skimmed) cottage cheese does not contain any cream, and is therefore much drier in consistency.
Cottage cheese is sold plain, salted or unsalted and in a variety of flavors such as chive or pineapple.
Buying Tips
As with all dairy products, check the "sell-by" date on the container to make sure you're buying the freshest cheese available.Storage Tips
Store in its original container in the coldest part of the refrigerator. If you turn the container upside down (make sure it's tightly sealed), it will stay fresher longer. Mind the date on the container, and use within one week after opening.If the cheese mixture separates, turns watery, sour-smelling or moldy—throw it out.
Usage Tips
• Spoon onto tomato slices and drizzle with vinaigrette.• Swirl with jelly or jam and spread on toast.
• Serve over fresh greens.
• Use as a simple topping for cooked pasta or baked potatoes.
• Sprinkle with granola and drizzle with honey.
• Bake into your favorite lasagna in place of ricotta.
• Use as a filling for blintzes and crepes.
Substitution Tips
• Use cottage cheese in place of ricotta cheese.• Dry or drained cottage cheese may be su
