A Surprisingly Delicious High-Protein Breakfast!
Looking for a way to shake up your breakfast routine? Ditch the boring oatmeal and say hello to this vibrant, protein-packed Asparagus with Cottage Cheese and Eggs! It might sound like an unusual combination, but trust me, the creamy, savory egg and cheese mixture is the perfect complement to crisp-tender asparagus spears. Best of all, this entire gourmet-tasting meal comes together in under 30 minutes thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. It’s a fantastic low-carb, high-protein option that will keep you full and energized all morning long. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
• 1 cup (about 150g) asparagus, trimmed and chopped
• ½ cup (113g) cottage cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp (30g) full-cream Greek yogurt
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp (6g) salt, divided
• ¼ tsp (0.5g) ground chili pepper or red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp (10ml) balsamic vinegar, for serving
• ¼ tsp (0.5g) ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Prep the Asparagus: Rinse your asparagus spears under cold water. Snap or trim off the tough, woody ends and chop the tender spears into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces.2. Steam in the Instant Pot: Pour one cup of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Place a trivet inside, followed by a steamer basket. Add the chopped asparagus to the basket and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Secure the lid and set the steam release valve to the ‘Sealing’ position.3. Set the Timer: Press the ‘Steam’ button and adjust the time to 1 minute. (Note: The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time begins).4. Quick Release and Drain: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release by moving the valve to ‘Venting’. Once the pin drops, open the lid. Remove the steamer basket with the asparagus and set it aside. Carefully discard the water from the inner pot and wipe it dry.5. Sauté the Cheesy Eggs: Place the inner pot back into the Instant Pot and press the ‘Sauté’ button. Once it displays ‘Hot’, add the olive oil. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.6. Scramble and Finish: Pour in the beaten eggs, crumbled cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt. Season with the remaining salt, chili pepper, and black pepper. Stir gently for 3-4 minutes, until the eggs are cooked to your desired doneness. Press ‘Cancel’ to turn off the heat.7. Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the steamed asparagus on a serving plate. Top generously with the creamy cottage cheese and egg mixture. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Per serving: Calories 289 | Total Fats 18.6g | Net Carbs: 5.9g | Protein 24.1g | Fiber: 1.6g
Pro Tips
• For perfectly crisp-tender asparagus, set the steam time to ‘0’ minutes. The time it takes for the pot to come to pressure is enough to cook it perfectly.
• Don’t have an Instant Pot? Steam the asparagus in a pot on the stove for 3-5 minutes until tender. Prepare the cheesy egg scramble in a separate non-stick skillet.
• Feel free to add more veggies! Sauté some chopped mushrooms, onions, or spinach with the garlic before adding the eggs for an extra nutritional boost.
• For a creamier texture, use small-curd cottage cheese. For a tangier flavor, swap the cottage cheese for an equal amount of crumbled feta.
FAQ
Q: What if I don’t have an Instant Pot
A: No problem! You can easily make this on the stovetop. Steam the asparagus in a pot for 3-5 minutes and cook the cheesy egg scramble in a separate non-stick skillet.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to this recipe
A: Absolutely! For an extra nutritional boost, you can sauté chopped mushrooms, onions, or spinach with the garlic before you add the eggs.
Q: Is this breakfast recipe low-carb
A: Yes, this is a fantastic low-carb breakfast option. Each serving contains only 5.9g of net carbs, making it a great choice for a low-carb or keto-friendly diet.
Q: How can I make the asparagus perfectly crisp-tender
A: For perfectly crisp-tender asparagus in the Instant Pot, set the steam time to ‘0’ minutes. The time it takes for the pot to build pressure is sufficient to cook it perfectly.
