The Cottage Cheese Toast I Make Every Day

It’s the easiest breakfast, lunch, or snack.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebric

Whether I'm craving a savory breakfast, need a quick lunch between meetings, or want a hearty snack in a pinch, cottage cheese toast is my tried-and-true, everyday staple. Packed with protein and textural contrast, it is a gratifying nosh in its simplest form.

Best of all, it's endlessly customizable, letting me adapt on a whim and use up whatever leftovers need a second life.

Garden-Fresh Inspiration

I recently whipped up my new all-time favorite version of this toast using cherry tomatoes from my garden, drawing inspiration from Sichuan-style guo kiu, a flatbread stuffed with scallions, chiles, and minced meat. A quick stint under the broiler left the tomatoes juicy and just beginning to blister and bubble. 

Lightly charred scallions, velvety soft cheese, and shatteringly crisp sourdough toast made each bite irresistible. A drizzle of vibrant chili crisp, packed with crunchy fried shallots, garlic chips, and tingling Sichuan peppercorns, added even more texture, bold flavor, and lingering heat.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebric

Pick the Cottage Cheese You Prefer

Any brand of cottage cheese will work, regardless of curd size or fat content. I always keep fat-free cottage cheese on hand because it's Weight Watchers-friendly, making this speedy, satisfying spread only three points. It keeps me full and energized for hours, a convenient cruise-control staple.

Getting To Know Chili Crisp

Chili crisp is a fiery oil-based condiment from China's Guizhou province. It combines crispy, spicy fried chiles and aromatics such as shallots, garlic, and ginger, fragrant spices, and umami-rich flavorings like mushroom powder or monosodium glutamate (MSG), all suspended in crimson oil.

It's a versatile condiment, perfect on eggs, noodles, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit—and, of course, cottage cheese toast. Different brands vary in spice and flavor: some are smoky, others earthy, and some feature tongue-tingling Sichuan peppercorns.  

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebric

Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp, the original commercial producer, offers a balanced, umami-rich profile. Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp and Momofuku Chili Crunch lean toward the spiciest end, while Mr. Bing's Chili Crisp and S&B Chili Oil with Crunchy Garlic are on the milder side (as mild as a chili oil can be!).

Use whichever brand you like best, or better yet, make your own and customize it to your preferences. 

How To Make My Chili Crisp Cottage Cheese Toast

Note: Every broiler is different, so keep a close eye on your toast and adjust the cook time accordingly. Stir your chili crisp well before using, as the solids settle to the bottom of the jar.

For one serving, you’ll need:

• 1 slice sourdough bread
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese
• 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 scallion, greens only, sliced
• 1 to 2 teaspoons chili crisp
• 1/8 teaspoon flaky salt, optional

Preheat your oven broiler on high with the oven rack in the middle position. Place toast directly on the oven rack until golden on one side, 2 to 3 minutes.

Flip the toast over so the toasted side is down, and place it on a baking sheet. Spread the cottage cheese over the bread in an even layer. Top with the cherry tomatoes and scallions. Return to the middle rack and broil until the scallions and the edges of the toast begin to char, 3 to 6 minutes. 

Transfer the toast to a plate, drizzle with chili crisp, and sprinkle with salt, if using.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebric

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