My mom is a genius. Since ricotta cheese is pricey, she came up with the idea of blending cottage cheese in the Vitamix blender to create a similar texture. It works! You can experiment with making sweet or savory cottage cheese dips- think strawberries and vanilla or caramelized onions. This version tastes like ranch dressing:

Ingredients:
-1 container cottage cheese
-1 tbs dry dill (or 1/4 cup fresh)
-1 tbs dry parsley (or 1/4 cup fresh)
-1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove roasted garlic)

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and adjust seasonings to suit your preferences.

Easy and tasty! Enjoy this dip with raw veggies, or stir it into hot spinach or pasta for a cheesy, creamy sauce that’s packed with protein.