High Protein Cottage Cheese Giardiniera Dip
This creamy High Protein Cottage Cheese Giardiniera Dip blends whipped cottage cheese, garlic, lemon zest, and tangy giardiniera into a bold, flavorful dip perfect for crackers, vegetables, sandwiches, and grilled meats.
Calories:
Ingredients
For the Whipped Cottage Cheese
- 1 16-ounce container low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 garlic clove sliced or roughly chopped
- 1 small lemon zested
- ¾ cup Chicago-style mild or hot giardiniera drained but not rinsed
For the Topping
- Extra ¼ cup giardiniera with oil
- Fresh grated parmesan cheese optional
- Chopped parsley or green onion optional
Instructions
- Drain the giardiniera well without rinsing it so the bold flavor stays intact. If the vegetable pieces are large, roughly chop them for easier blending. Zest the lemon before cutting it for quicker prep.
- Add the cottage cheese, garlic, and lemon zest to a food processor or blender. Blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. The mixture should look silky with no visible curds.
- Add the drained giardiniera and blend again for about 30 seconds until combined. For a chunkier texture, pulse a few times instead of blending continuously.
- Spoon the dip into a shallow bowl and top with the extra ¼ cup giardiniera along with a little of its oil. Sprinkle with parsley, green onion, or parmesan if desired.
- Serve with crackers, pita chips, toasted sourdough, or fresh vegetables. It also makes a flavorful spread for sandwiches or a dip for quesadillas, grilled chicken, or steak.