Strawberry-Basil Cottage Cheese Bowls

Published Aug. 19, 2025

Basic Information

• Total Time: 30 minutes

• Prep Time: 10 minutes (includes washing, chopping, and marinating)

• Marinating Time: 15 minutes (can be extended to 24 hours refrigerated)

• Assembly Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 2 cups)

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons honey (adjust to taste preference)

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (generous pinch)

• Freshly ground black pepper (generous pinch, optional but recommended)

• 1 large fresh basil sprig (5–6 leaves), leaves torn into small pieces

• 16 ounces (2 cups) low-fat cottage cheese (or 2% Greek yogurt as a substitute)

• 3 tablespoons roasted, salted pistachios, coarsely chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Prep Ingredients

1. Wash strawberries under cold running water to remove any debris. Hull (trim the green caps) and quarter into 1–2 cm pieces.

2. Rinse the basil sprig briefly, pat dry with a paper towel, then tear leaves into small, bite-sized pieces (avoid large stems).

3. Measure all dry and liquid ingredients precisely for consistent flavor.

Step 2: Marinate the Strawberry-Basil Mixture

1. In a clean, airtight container (e.g., glass jar or plastic storage container), combine the quartered strawberries, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper.

2. Add the torn basil leaves to the container. Gently toss with a spoon to ensure even distribution of vinegar, honey, and basil.

3. Let the mixture rest at room temperature (20–22°C) for 15 minutes. During this time, gently stir the mixture 1–2 times to prevent uneven marination.

For extended flavor development (up to 24 hours), cover the container and refrigerate at 4°C. Shake lightly every 4–6 hours to redistribute juices.

Step 3: Assemble the Bowl

1. Divide the cottage cheese evenly into 2–3 serving bowls (approximately 150–180g per bowl).

2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the marinated strawberries (and accumulated juices) onto the cottage cheese, ensuring an even layer.

3. Sprinkle the coarsely chopped pistachios over the top for texture and nutty depth.

User Reviews

• "I made this with Fage 2% Greek yogurt. I added an extra swirl of honey and it was perfect."

• "Lovely combo of flavors and textures! I used balsamic vinegar and was generous with the pepper."

• "Thanks. I am a good cook but I really love these easy recipes. I would never have added pepper to strawberries so it is a great easy recipe."

• "I loved this, but I also really like cottage cheese. Other family members found the texture weird, so it didn’t work for them. Regardless, a great healthy dessert alternative. I added blueberries and reduced honey to avoid excess sweetness."

• "I made this today & it was delicious! A great savory breakfast bowl. I used half red wine vinegar and half balsamic vinegar, and don’t skip the pepper—it adds something special."

• "Oh how I wanted to love this dish. The flavors just didn’t come together for me."

Note: Adjustments like vinegar ratio (e.g., half red wine/half balsamic), honey quantity, or addition of blueberries are encouraged based on personal taste.