Creamy High-protein Cottage Cheese Caesar Dressing
Enjoy a rich and creamy Caesar dressing packed with protein, thanks to cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. This recipe offers all the zesty, savory flavors you love with a luxurious, smooth texture, perfect for transforming any salad into a satisfying meal.
Equipment
- Small dry pan
- high-speed blender
- food processor
- immersion blender
Ingredients
Cottage Cheese Caesar Dressing
- ¼ cup cottage cheese (1% or 2%)
- 1 Tbs plain Greek yogurt (1% or non-fat)
- ¼ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ Tbs lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 anchovy filets (3 if they're small), use a paper towel to pat off most of the oil
- 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon white miso paste
- Cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Building the Flavor Base
- Lightly toast the minced garlic in a small, dry pan over medium-low heat for 30 to 60 seconds, or until it becomes fragrant. This process mellows the garlic's sharp flavor into sweeter notes.
Blending to Perfection
- Gather all remaining ingredients. Add the toasted garlic, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy filets, extra virgin olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, and white miso paste to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Continue blending until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy, forming a homogeneous consistency without any graininess.
Finishing Touches
- Check the consistency. If the dressing is too thick, thin it by adding a teaspoon of water or unsweetened almond milk at a time, blending briefly after each addition, until your desired pourable consistency is reached. Remember it will thicken more in the refrigerator.
- Add freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Give it one final quick pulse in the blender to ensure perfect combination and seasoning.
Notes
Pro Tip: Create a Flavor Paste: For a more integrated flavor, smash anchovies, toasted garlic, and a pinch of salt on your cutting board with the side of a knife until a smooth paste forms before adding to the blender. Pro Tip: Let It Rest: Allow the finished dressing to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, to allow flavors to meld and deepen for a more delicious result. Pro Tip: Go Full-Fat for Dips: For a thicker, richer dressing ideal for dips, use full-fat cottage cheese and Greek yogurt to achieve a naturally luxurious body. Troubleshooting: Grainy Dressing: The most common reason is not blending long enough. Blend for a full 1-2 minutes in a high-speed blender, or even longer with a food processor/immersion blender, scraping sides as needed, until all curds are smooth. Troubleshooting: Too Thick/Thin: Thin a too-thick dressing with water or unsweetened almond milk, one teaspoon at a time. To prevent a thin dressing, use full-fat dairy ingredients initially, as thickening a thin dressing later can be tricky. Troubleshooting: Too Tangy: Balance overly tangy dressing by adding a tiny bit more cottage cheese or a small pinch of sugar. Resting the dressing in the fridge for an hour or two also helps mellow the tanginess. Storage: Store in an airtight container (like a glass mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. It will thicken as it chills; stir or let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. Meal Prep: Prepare a batch at the start of the week to easily enhance daily salads, dips, and sandwiches. Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as dairy components tend to separate upon thawing, affecting the creamy texture. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.
Nutrition
Calories: 60kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 6gFat: 4.5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 1g
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