When mixed together, cottage cheese and fruit create a healthy, light meal or snack. Cottage cheese is low in calories and provides protein and calcium that you need in your diet. The type of fruit that you eat with your cottage cheese depends on your personal preference. You can actually serve cottage cheese mixed with fruit, or you can serve cottage cheese and fruit as part of the same meal but have them separate on the plate. Don’t be afraid to experiment and be creative with your chosen ingredients or methods of preparation.
The easiest way to mix cottage cheese and fruit is to simply stir chopped up fruit into a cup or bowl of cottage cheese. Popular options include strawberries, blackberries and pineapples. For a change of pace, try fruits such as canned mandarin oranges or bananas, or mix a dollop of cottage cheese into an already-made fruit salad.
If you like the taste of cottage cheese but are not fond of the texture, consider pulsing it in a food processor for a few seconds. This smooths out the lumps, and you can then add a bit of sweetened yogurt, sugar, cinnamon or vanilla extract to flavor the cottage cheese. Use this as a dip for apple slices, strawberries or chunks of melon. As an alternative, add some milk, process the fruit at the same time, and serve it as a smoothie or thick shake.
Make a light dessert by mixing cottage cheese with sweetened whipped topping, then stirring in chunks of pineapples, oranges and raisins. If desired, stir in a handful of mini-marshmallows for a treat that resembles ambrosia. This can be taken further by adding sliced strawberries, blueberries, peaches or whatever fruit is available.
Finally, an easy way to serve cottage cheese and fruit is simply to offer it alongside your favorite sliced fruits. Place a bowl of cottage cheese on the table, and offer items such as sliced melon, a bowl of berries, a dish of dried fruits and several choices of whole fruit. Each person can then choose his or her favorite, along with a spoonful of cottage cheese. With the addition of whole wheat toast and perhaps a glass of orange juice, this makes a healthful, filling breakfast or light lunch.