Cottage Cheese Salad

I should probably call this Ram Uncle’s Cottage Cheese Salad, because this is truly one of his signature dishes. Ram Uncle is a dear family friend, mentor, and an exceptional cook. He’s also very selective about sharing his recipes, and apart from this one, I haven’t managed to extract too many others from him. I suspect this recipe was shared partly as a parting gift during an emotional moment, just before the family moved from Dallas back to India.

Although I’ve made this dish several times now, I’m still not sure I’ve mastered the elusive “Ram Uncle touch.” That said, it’s one of Nikhil’s favorite dishes, which means it gets made often in our kitchen. It’s creative, simple, and incredibly tasty, while also being very healthy—qualities that perfectly reflect Ram Uncle’s cooking style. Thank you, Uncle, for this wonderful recipe.

Ingredients

• Cottage cheese – 1 tub (12 oz)
• Red onion – 1/2 medium, finely chopped
• Red bell pepper – 1/4 cup, finely chopped
• Carrot – 1/4 cup, grated
• Red cabbage – 1/4 cup, grated
• Urad dal (split black gram lentils) – 1 tbsp
• Black mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Chana dal (yellow split pigeon peas) – 1/2 tbsp
• Olive oil – 1 tsp
  (This is one of the key elements of the dish. Canola or peanut oil doesn’t quite deliver the same flavor.)
• Green chilies – 2–3, finely chopped
  (I use Thai green chilies)

Method

1. In a serving bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the chopped onion, green chilies, grated carrot, red bell pepper, and red cabbage. Mix gently until well combined.

2. Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan. Add the mustard seeds and allow them to crackle.

3. Add the urad dal and chana dal, and sauté until both turn golden brown.

4. Pour the tempered lentils over the cottage cheese mixture and mix well.

This salad tastes great on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with South Indian meals, especially with sambar, rice, and potato fry. It can also be used as a substitute for raita or as a yogurt-based side in North Indian cuisine. Simple, versatile, and deeply satisfying.Top of Form