Cottage Cheese Bowl with Homemade Seeded Crackers
Okay, this is going to sound crazy and possibly one of the least relatable intros I’ve ever written, but I fear this may be my magnum opus of recipes. Yes, cottage cheese and seeded crackers. I know it sounds dramatic, but this is basically my favorite thing to eat. I never get tired of it. I eat it almost every day, and I want to convince everyone to bandwagon with me.
I used to be obsessed with Mary’s Gone Crackers (Mary, the woman you are), and I was going through boxes like it was my job. They’re not cheap, so I figured I might as well learn to make my own and customize them exactly how I like. If you’re not the type to make crackers, I’d recommend Mary’s as a substitute. But an added benefit of making homemade healthy crackers is that you get to feel superior to everyone who isn’t making their own crackers (which is many).
I think my obsession with this combo may go beyond normal, but honestly, I really believe most people would love it. And if you’ve been doubtful about cottage cheese, just give it a chance. The kind you buy makes all the difference. I highly recommend Nancy’s or Good Culture—both have minimal ingredients, live probiotic cultures, and taste way better than the watery, unsettlingly curdled texture you may have experienced with most other varieties.
I’m looking for my seeded cracker and cottage cheese community, so please let me know if you get into it.
Harlan’s Food For Thought
The following are the macros for our meal. These macros take into account ½ cup cottage cheese and ¼ sheet of homemade crackers:
Protein: 32g
Carbohydrate: 21g
Fat: 38g
Calories: 534
This meal has well-rounded macros, with a large contribution of the calories coming from polyunsaturated fats (good for you!) in the seeds.
Flax seeds, an abundant ingredient in this meal, are high in Omega-3 fatty acids—specifically, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). They are also high in substances called lignans, which are antioxidants. Both of these compounds contribute significantly to the health benefits of flax seeds. The following are some of the known health benefits that flax seeds can provide:
Reduced systemic inflammation
Improved blood sugar management
Increased HDL and decreased LDL
Improved hormone production and function
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are "essential," meaning we need them for proper bodily functionand we only get them through eating foods that contain them. Foods with both fatty acids will have a "ratio" of Omega-6 to Omega-3. Foods with higher proportions of Omega-6 fatty acids are generally considered "pro-inflammatory," which means that they will increase systemic inflammation. We do need some Omega-6 fatty acids, but we often consume them in excess through default with the Standard American Diet. Seed oils—like canola, soybean, corn, and safflower—are particularly high in Omega-6. Adversely, foods high in Omega-3 are generally considered "anti-inflammatory," which means that they will likely contribute very little to systemic inflammation. Foods like wild-caught fish, flax seeds, walnuts, pasture-raised chicken, grass-fed beef are all good sources of Omega-3 fatty acid. With animal sources, the food they eat is directly correlated with their Omega-3 content, which is why sourcing healthy animal products is very important.
~ Harlan Wolff, Registered Nurse and Clinical Educator
Cottage Cheese Bowl with Homemade Seeded Crackers
Servings: 1 serving of the bowl (plus extra crackers to last you a while!)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Crackers:
½ cup flax meal
½ cup flax seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup pumpkin seeds
¾ cup water
A few sprigs of rosemary (Or any other fresh woody herbs like sage, thyme, or oregano if you prefer, optional)
Flaky salt (for sprinkling)
For the Cottage Cheese Bowl:
1/2 cup cottage cheese (I recommend Good Culture or Nancy’s probiotic variety, look for minimal ingredients and one with probiotics)
Extra virgin olive oil (This is the time bring out your best stuff)
Hot honey (for a sweet kick)
Flaky salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Optional toppings:
Cherry tomatoes
Sliced cucumber
Avocado
Fresh herbs
Instructions
For the Crackers:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, combine flax meal, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and water.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly, aiming for as thin a layer as possible.
Sprinkle with flaky salt and chopped rosemary (or any other fresh woody herbs like sage, thyme, or oregano if you prefer).
Bake for 10–15 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. You want the crackers to turn golden brown and fragrant.
For the Cottage Cheese Bowl:
Scoop a generous serving of cottage cheese into a bowl, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and hot honey to taste, and sprinkle with flaky salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Add any toppings you like (I’m a savory person all the way), such as cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, or avocado.
Scoop up the cottage cheese with the crackers and enjoy!
