Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (With Cottage Cheese)

I have a confession…I love seafood and could easily live on oysters and salmon for the rest of my life. My kids eat these foods but definitely don’t love them as much as I do. I’m always looking for ways to make seafood delicious and easy to eat for kids.Plus, it turns out we need to eat veggies too (and a variety of them) so I’m always looking for ways to combine proteins, veggies and healthy fats in a single snack that satisfies the kids. This recipe checks all of those boxes and is a favorite in our house.A Secret Protein BoostI also love that this recipe incorporates one of my other favorite foods that is packed with protein: cottage cheese!Even if you aren’t a huge cottage cheese fan, stick with me for a minute. The cottage cheese transforms from its normal state to a creamy base and adds creaminess and texture to this recipe. Even my boys who insist that “cottage cheese is not one of their favorite foods” (since we don’t complain about food) love this recipe.Most creamy dips rely on a lot of cream cheese for flavor. By subbing in cottage cheese instead you get an even richer flavor, more protein and a dip you can feel great about giving your kids.Important Note on Cottage CheeseCottage cheese is often the hiding place for fillers and gums (including carrageenan). In fact, I’d avoided cottage cheese for years because of this.While on a recent family road trip I was grocery shopping and ran across the Good Culture brand of cottage cheese. Imagine my surprise when I learned that it is organic, made from grass-fed milk, free of gums and fillers, and super creamy (read delicious)! It is now a staple at our house and has brought cottage cheese back into my life! Even my husband, who has NEVER liked cottage cheese enjoyed it. So brace yourself… the cottage cheese recipes are coming.Good Culture also has some great flavored versions like strawberry and mango that my kids love for breakfast. But enough about my new obsession, let’s get back to the recipe.Get the Kids InvolvedI’m a big fan of letting kids help in the kitchen. There’s even research that letting kids learn how to use knives is essential for their psychological development. This is a perfect recipe to get the kids involved (and they’ll be more likely to try and love a food that they made! Smoked Salmon Dip RecipeDelicious savory salmon dip with dill and cottage cheese for extra protein. A great appetizer or party snack or wonderful as a quick lunch. Try on crackers or on salad. Ingredients1 cup cottage cheese (I prefer Good Culture because it has no gums or fillers and is grass fed)1/4 cup cream cheese8 ounces smoked salmon, chopped2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped1/4 cup green onion, finely sliced1 teaspoon lemon juice1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional- for flavor)1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (to sprinkle on top)InstructionsProcess cottage cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth.Add smoked salmon, dill, green onion, lemon juice, and hot sauce and mix by hand.Spoon into serving dish and top with smoked paprika. Serve on gluten free crackers or with salad. Ways to Eat Smoked Salmon DipPersonally, I think this dip is good enough to eat right off the spoon, but there are many ways to eat it:Spread on gluten free crackers or breads as an appetizer or party dipOn veggies like cucumber or carrots as a quick protein-packed snackStirred into eggs or in an omeletOn a bed of greens as a salad toppingAre you a seafood junkie like me? Ready to try this delicious smoked salmon dip?