Cottage Cheese Roulade

A delicious and easy-to-prepare appetizer, the cottage cheese roulade is perfect for any occasion. The silky texture of the cheese combined with the flavors of walnuts and garlic offers a burst of taste that will impress all your guests.

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Ingredients:

• 250 g cottage cheese
• 100 g butter
• 2–3 tablespoons ground walnuts
• 6–8 garlic cloves
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt, to taste
• Ground pepper
• 4 tablespoons finely chopped dill
• ½ sweet pepper (preferably red), finely chopped

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Preparation Method:

First version:

1. Mix the cottage cheese with softened butter and finely chopped garlic.
2. Add lemon juice, ground walnuts, salt, and pepper, blending until you obtain a smooth mixture.
3. Place the mixture on plastic wrap and shape into a roulade.
4. Sprinkle finely chopped dill and pepper on top of the roulade, then roll carefully.
5. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving.

Second version:

1. Pass the cottage cheese through a sieve for an ultra-fine texture.
2. Combine the sieved cheese with softened butter, garlic, ground walnuts, and the remaining ingredients.
3. Spread the mixture on plastic wrap, decorate with red pepper pieces, and form into a roulade.
4. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.

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Serving Suggestion:
Slice the roulade and arrange the pieces on a decorative platter. Garnish with parsley leaves and a few tomato slices. Serve with fresh bread or crackers.

Recommendation:
This appetizer is ideal for festive meals or a quick snack, paired with fresh vegetables.

Why sieve the cottage cheese?
Answer: Passing the cheese through a sieve ensures an extremely fine, homogeneous texture, eliminating any granules and creating a creamy spread.

What are the benefits of ground walnuts in this recipe?
Answer: Ground walnuts add a crunchy note and slight sweetness that perfectly complements the savory garlic and cheese. They also provide healthy fats and protein.

How do you shape the roulade for a flawless presentation?
Answer: Spread the mixture on plastic wrap and roll into a compact cylinder, pulling the wrap tightly to seal the edges. Chilling fixes the shape for clean, even slices.

What alternatives can be used instead of dill and pepper for decoration?
Answer: Decorate with parsley, cilantro, sliced olives, cucumber slices, or pomegranate seeds for a striking contrast.

How does garlic influence the roulade’s flavor?
Answer: Garlic provides an intense, mildly spicy note that balances the walnuts’ sweetness and cheese’s freshness. Finely chopping or crushing ensures even flavor distribution.

How can you make a lighter version?
Answer: Replace butter with Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream, and use low-fat cottage cheese to reduce calories.

What breads or crackers pair best?
Answer: Whole-grain bread, fresh baguette, or seed crackers are excellent, their crunch contrasting the roulade’s creaminess.

What are the best ways to serve the roulade?
Answer: Serve thinly sliced on a decorative platter, garnished with parsley leaves and fresh vegetable slices like tomatoes or cucumbers. It also pairs beautifully with a glass of white wine or Prosecco.

For which occasions is the cottage cheese roulade suitable?
Answer: Perfect for festive dinners, parties, picnics, or as an appetizer for informal gatherings. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and impresses guests with its flavor and presentation.