Pesto Salad with Grilled Cottage Cheese is a delicious recipe where slices or chunks of soft cottage cheese (paneer) is marinated in a flavourful pesto sauce and then grilled. This easy recipe is healthy and delicious. We all couldn’t stop hogging on it. Pesto Salad with Grilled Cottage Cheese is low carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, grain-free and sugar-free.
Pesto Salad with Grilled Cottage Cheese is an elegant dish to serve during a gathering. This wholesome grilled paneer salad is a great option for weight watchers as it is packed with protein, calcium, fibre and vitamins. This can be a perfect dinner choice for all.
What is cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese made from full-fat milk by curdling the milk. This cheese is used fresh without ageing it. It is commonly known as Paneer in India. You can buy paneer or make your own as it is extremely easy to make and requires very little time. Freshly made homemade cottage cheese is always the best option. Here is a link for making paneer at home.
What is Pesto?
Pesto is an Italian sauce typically made with basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese blended together and served hot or cold over pasta, vegetables, fish or meat. It serves as a great spread for sandwiches; accompaniment for nachos and as a salad dressing. There are a lot of variations in making Pesto. Here is a link for making Pesto Sauce at home.
Which vegetables can I use in Grilled Paneer Salad?
Feel free to use any mix of salad greens. The green should be fresh and crunchy. You can also use cherry tomatoes and corn nibbles. Fruits like grapes, pineapple and pear can also be added.
How to Make Grilled Paneer?
It is very simple to grill paneer. Use a grill pan, just drizzle some oil and place the marinated paneer on the hot grill. If you don’t have a grill pan, you can still make them on a non-stick pan. Just pan-fry it and it will taste great.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #blissofcooking on Instagram. You may like to try our other salad similar recipes like Greek Salad and Thai Red Cabbage and Carrot Salad.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients for Pesto Salad with Grilled Cottage Cheese
200 grams cottage cheese (Paneer)
4 tablespoon pesto (Recipe here)
Salt and pepper to season
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the salad
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1/2 cup sliced yellow pepper
1 cup iceberg lettuce torn
1/2 cup sliced red cabbage
1 cup salad leaves torn
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 to 3 tablespoon pesto
Salt to taste
Direction for Pesto Salad with Grilled Cottage Cheese
- Slice the cottage cheese in 1/2 inch thick slices.
- Season the paneer with salt and pepper and then rub the pesto to coat all the paneer pieces. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- In the meantime wash and dry the greens and tear them into bite-size pieces.
- Place all the vegetables in a medium-sized salad bowl and set them aside.
- Heat a grill pan over high heat, add oil.
- Place the paneer pieces in a single layer and grill till marks appear. Turn on the other side and grill. Add oil as required.
- Switch off the heat and remove the grilled paneer on a plate. Let it come to room temperature before adding to the salad.
- Now add lemon juice to the pesto and mix. Add to the salad and toss well so that the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Arrange the salad on a serving dish and place the grilled cottage cheese on top. Garnish with basil leaves.
- Serve immediately.
