3 Recipes Using Quark, The Underrated Protein Powerhouse
We wanted to take a moment to highlight a dairy product that doesn't get enough love: Quark!
Quark is a high-protein traditional German cheese, whose texture is somewhere between cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. It differs from cottage cheese in that Quark does not use a salting process. Quark is also higher in protein than most cottage cheese and Greek yogurt!
At Jo Anne's Place, we specifically carry M-C Dairy's Organic Skim Quark, which is the only Certified Grass Fed and Organic Quark in Ontario! It has 15 grams of protein (per 125g serving) and is made from Jersey Cow milk which is 20% higher in calcium and richer in micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Plus, Jersey cows produce A2 protein milk, which some find easier to digest!
Additional nutritional benefits of Quark include:
- Low FODMAP
- Low in sodium
- Good source of Vitamin A
- Good source of calcium and potassium
- Low in Sugar
Quark can be enjoyed in many different ways. Some enjoy it as a breakfast food with berries, seeds, and nuts. Others like using it as a dip for crackers and veggies. It also is an amazing cooking and baking ingredient to add a protein boost to your diet!
Below are some delicious recipes featuring Quark:
Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, & Feta Quark Quiche + Gluten-Free Crust
INGREDIENTS
Gluten-Free Quiche Crust (OR Use a Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Crust)
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose gluten free flour blend (ex. Bob's Red Mill, Cuisine Soleil)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small cubes and chilled
- 2 1/2 tablespoons of ice water
Quiche Filling
- 1/2 cup M-C Dairy Quark
- 4 large organic eggs
- 1 small finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp parsley (fresh chopped or dried)
- 2 roasted red peppers
- Great tutorial on how to roast peppers here
- 2 large handfuls of spinach
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
DIRECTIONS
Crust:
If using a premade crust, skip to quiche filling instructions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and ice water. Set the bowl aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor (or bowl, you can use a hand mixer if you don't have a food processor), add the flour and salt. Pulse/whisk briefly until mixed. Add in the the cubed butter and pulse again until the mixture is coarse. Add in the egg & ice-water mixture. Pulse again until a consistent dough forms.
- Transfer it onto a lightly floured cutting board or countertop. Roll out the crust so that it fits your quiche pan or dish. Lay the rolled out dough onto the top of the pan. Using your hands, gently press the dough into place. Slice off any extra dough that’s hanging over the rim.
- Place the pan with the dough into the freezer for 20-30 minutes. For a flaky crust, it’s important that the crust is cold when it’s filled and cooked.
- Your crust is ready to be filled and baked!
For the Filling:
- Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Whisk together your egg and quark in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Finely chop the spinach and onions and slice the peppers into thin strips. Add them both, and your parsley to the egg and quark mixture. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper
- Pour the mixture over your crust. Crumble the feta on top, pressing some down into the mixture.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until firm. If the top begins to turn brown before it is fully cooked, cover the dish with foil to prevent further browning.
- Top with any additional fresh herbs and enjoy!
Classic German Cheesecake with Quark
INGREDIENTS
- 4 organic eggs
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 1/2 cups of quark
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup vanilla sugar - here's a tutorial on how to make it
- 1/3 cup corn starch (sifted) - helps to reduce clumping
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Whip heavy cream to create stiff peaks using a hand or stand mixer and set aside.
- Separate eggs and set the yolks aside for later.
- Beat egg whites to create stiff peaks, again using a hand or stand mixer - whichever you have. Set aside.
- Add quark, sugar, vanilla sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice, and corn starch to a medium mixing bowl. Mix together using a whisk.
- Carefully fold the heavy cream followed by the egg whites into the batter.
- Pour batter into a prepared springform pan (the kind where the sides come off to remove the cake easily). If you don't have one, line a regular cake pan with parchment paper to allow for easier removal.
- Bake cheesecake for an hour to an hour to an hours and 10 minutes. If it starts turning too brown, cover with foil.
- Turn off oven and open the door a little, then let the cheesecake sit for another 10-15 minutes.
- Take out of oven and let cool on a wire rack.
- Cover and store cheesecake in the fridge for up to a week.
- Serve with a side of whipped cream, fresh berries, or top with a berry compote or jam and enjoy!
Quark, Basil, and Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breast
A super easy dinner recipe that's ready in under an hour!
Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (Yorkshire Valley, thawed)
- 1/2 cup quark
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp sun-blush tomatoes - recipe here
- You can also use sun-dried tomatoes if you prefer, or chopped raw tomatoes.
- 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
- (Optional) Pancetta slices or thick cut bacon
- Pesto and fresh basil for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Mix together the quark, basil, tomatoes, and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
- Place the chicken on a chopping board and open out the fillet, or slice in half. Spread a quarter of the quark mixture in the middle of each chicken breast. Fold back over and, if using pancetta or bacon, wrap each breast with three slices.
- Place in a greased baking dish or cast iron skillet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the outside is golden (if using bacon/pancetta) and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with fresh seasonal vegetables, mashed potato, or a salad - and enjoy!
All ingredients are available at Jo Anne’s Place – See our store hours here.
Made any of these recipes? Tag us on Instagram @joannesplace – We’d love to share your creation!
Feeling the Holiday pressure? In the midst of Winter’s chill and the Holiday rush, your own well-being deserves space to breathe. The natural world around us is slowing down, so why shouldn’t we? Winter invites us to turn inward, and it is especially important to support your mental health during these longer, darker days. Did you know that we, as Canadians, are more prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder due to our northern latitude, which results in less sunlight during the winter? The Holiday season can be equal parts joyful and overwhelming. Schedules get busy, routines slip, and we're surrounded by comfort foods and sweet treats. Between gatherings, travel, and to-do lists, our well-being can take a back seat. Here are some simple tips to keep you grounded, nourished, and feeling your best throughout the season: *These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels for contraindications and check with your pharmacist if you are on prescription drugs. These suggestions are based on over 40 years of customer experience at Jo Anne’s Place.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
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