Cottage Cheese Garlic Herb Shrimp Cups (Printable)
Protein-rich shrimp with aromatic garlic and herbs nestled in creamy cottage cheese, served in refreshing crisp lettuce cups
# List of ingredients:
→ Shrimp
01 - 14 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
05 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
07 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
→ Salad Base
08 - 7 oz cottage cheese
09 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - Zest of 1/2 lemon
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
13 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Assembly
14 - 8 large sturdy lettuce leaves
15 - 1 small cucumber, finely diced
16 - 1 medium ripe avocado, diced
17 - 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
# Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, dried herbs, and lemon juice. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine cottage cheese, chives, parsley, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
04 - Rinse lettuce leaves and pat them dry thoroughly. Set aside for assembly.
05 - Spoon a generous dollop of the cottage cheese mixture into each lettuce cup. Top with a few pieces of shrimp, then scatter with diced cucumber, avocado, and cherry tomatoes.
06 - Serve immediately as a light meal or appetizer.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy cottage cheese balances beautifully with the garlicky shrimp, creating that perfect protein punch without feeling heavy
- These cups come together in under 30 minutes but look like something from a restaurant kitchen
02 -
- Overcooking the shrimp is the biggest mistake I've made, and honestly, it ruins the whole experience
- Serving these immediately is crucial because the lettuce starts to wilt and the cottage cheese makes everything soggy after about 15 minutes
03 -
- Pat the shrimp completely dry before marinating so they sear instead of steam
- Sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika into the shrimp marinade for a subtle, smoky depth