Cottage Cheese: A Healthy And Nutritious Cheese

Alternative Cottage cheese is characterized by curds and whey. It is frequently used as a topping for salads and fruits (delicious with pineapple!). It is generally considered a health food and can be eaten on most diets because, unlike most types of cheese, it is low fat and low carb while still being high in protein. Cottage cheese is a drained but, unlike harder cheeses, it is not pressed. This is why it is soft and contains whey. It is also different from other hard cheeses because it is not colored or aged.

Based on the milk that you use different cheeses will be produced. Higher fat milks will produce higher fat cheeses. Lower fat cheeses are made from lower fat milks. Another way to alter cottage cheese is by the curd size -- large curd and small curd cottage cheeses are available at most grocery stores. Cottage cheese can be pressed to make other types of cheeses such as hoop, pot, or farmer’s.

The phrase "cottage cheese" was coined n 1848; probably because people making cheese at home (cottage) cheese used milk that was leftover from producing butter to make the cottage cheese. Large curd and small curd cottage cheese is different for more than just curd size. Small curd cottage cheese is high in acid and made with no rennet, while large curd cottage cheese is low in acid and produced with rennet. Large curd is more popular with most people.

Rennet is an enzyme which curdles the cheese and keeps the curds together. Large curd cottage cheese is also known as "chunk style" because it has larger chunks of cheese. Cottage cheese is a dream come true for many dieters. It enables them to enjoy the texture and flavor of cheese while providing a low-fat, low-carb source of protein. Cottage cheese can also be low sodium which helps people who are on a low-sodium diet.

Many dieters and other health food junkies love cottage cheese because of its high content of casein protein. One simple and delicious recipe for cottage cheese involves mixing cottage cheese, fresh oregano, fresh basil, fresh chives, salt and a dash of fresh lemon juice in a food processor or blender. This is a delicious topping for baked potatoes. Not only is it scrumptious it is also a healthy, hot meal!

Cottage cheese is also an excellent, inexpensive replacement for ricotta or grated cheeses in many recipes. Now you know! Cottage cheese just might be the perfect food -- low fat, delicious, high in protein, and delicious with breads, fruits, and vegetables. Try it for your next diet!