Spiced Cottage Cheese & Charred Tomato Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slicesbread (sourdough or sturdy white bread)
- 1 cupcottage cheese
- 10 ouncescherry tomatoes
- 3 clovesgarlic
- 3 tablespoonolive oil
- ½ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- ½ teaspooncumin
- ¼ teaspoonsmoked paprika
- 1lime
- ¼ cupcilantro
- 1 teaspoonsalt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
Prep
- 01
Halve 10 ounces cherry tomatoes.
- 02
Mince 3 cloves garlic (optional, for extra flavor in the cottage cheese mixture).
- 03
Chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro.
Method
- 01
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add halved cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes until blistered and lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a bowl.
- 02
In a small bowl, stir together cottage cheese, cumin, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, juice from the lime, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- 03
Wipe the skillet and add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Toast bread slices until golden and crisp on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- 04
Spread spiced cottage cheese generously onto each warm toast. Top with warm charred tomatoes and their juices. Scatter fresh cilantro over each piece and serve immediately.
Spice Tips
Increase red pepper flakes to 3/4 teaspoon for real heat, or add a pinch of cayenne. For deeper warmth, toast the cumin in the pan for 30 seconds before using it. Fresh jalapeño sliced thin and scattered over the toast adds sharp green spice.
For extra punch, mince the garlic and stir it into the spiced cottage cheese. Leftovers keep refrigerated for 1 day, but best served fresh.