Cottage cheese curds salad with cherry tomatoes and black olives

Here is a simple and tasty recipe for a cottage cheese curds salad with cherry tomatoes and black olives, reflecting the Italian love for fresh and Mediterranean dishes.

Ingredients

• 200 g of cottage cheese curds
• 150 g of cherry tomatoes
• 50 g of pitted black olives
• Fresh basil (to taste)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation

1. Start by washing the cherry tomatoes. Cut them in half or leave them whole, according to your preference.
2. Drain the cottage cheese curds well to remove any excess whey.
3. Take a salad bowl and combine the cottage cheese curds with the cut tomatoes.
4. Add the pitted black olives to the rest of the ingredients in the salad bowl.
5. Tear some fresh basil leaves by hand and add them to the salad to enhance the aroma and freshness.
6. Season the salad with a pinch of salt, some freshly ground black pepper, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Mix gently to blend the flavors.
7. Let it rest in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes before serving; this step helps the flavors to bond better.

Trivia

Cottage cheese curds are a very versatile type of fresh cheese in the kitchen, low in fat and rich in proteins. They are perfect for salads or to be added to cold dishes, offering a soft texture and a delicate flavor that pairs well with the freshness of tomatoes and olives.

This salad is perfect as a light dish for summer or as a side dish at any time of the year. If you desire an extra touch of Mediterraneanness, you could also add some capers or replace the black olives with Taggiasca olives, which are smaller and have a more delicate flavor.