High-Protein Mediterranean Spinach Feta Bread Recipe: A Slice of the Mediterranean Diet by Elisa Schmitz

We're pretty lucky that one of the most nutritious ways to eat is also one of the most delicious. I'm talking about the Mediterranean Diet, which has many health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke; supporting a healthy body weight; supporting healthy blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol; lowering risk for certain types of cancer; slowing the decline of brain function and generally helping us live longer. But what I love even more is the taste of the Mediterranean Diet. The flavors are so fresh and delish!

Lately, I've been packing flavors from the Mediterranean into savory bread recipes that include nutritious ingredients that are found in the Mediterranean Diet. My latest is this high-protein Mediterranean spinach and feta bread recipe. In this loaf, I added my favorite secret ingredient for even more protein: cottage cheese. It made for a nutritious, delicious bread that's like a slice of the Mediterranean Diet!

This colorful bread incorporates the health benefits of spinach, the health benefits of bell peppers and the health benefits of Greek yogurt. It also features feta cheese, which is considered to be one of the healthiest cheeses, and cottage cheese, which is a low-calorie source of protein and nutrition (just check out all the health benefits of cottage cheese).

To make this Mediterranean loaf, you'll need the following ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, fresh spinach, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, eggs, cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, flour, baking powder, salt, feta cheese and Parmesan cheese. You sauté the onions, peppers, garlic and spinach before whipping the cottage cheese with the eggs in a blender. Next, you make the batter then bake the loaf until golden.

Serve this nutritious Mediterranean bread as a vegetarian side dish with lunch or dinner, as a savory snack or even for breakfast or for brunch. It's even more delicious when toasted in the oven!

Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 to 55 minutes
Total Time: 60 to 70 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
• 3/4 cup onions, diced
• 3/4 cup red bell peppers, diced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 cups flour (all-purpose or gluten-free flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Recipe Notes

• Instead of fresh spinach, you could use 10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and with the moisture squeezed out.

• I used a red bell pepper, but you can use any color bell pepper you prefer.

• You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour. I used GF 1:1 flour.

• Store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This bread is extra delicious when toasted in a toaster oven or regular oven (it's a bit soft to go into a regular toaster).
  

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large skillet or sauté pan with sides, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the onions, peppers and garlic. Sauté until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
   
2. Add the spinach and sauté until wilted. Remove from heat. Place the spinach mixture onto a plate lined with paper towels to remove moisture.
   
3. To a blender, add the eggs and cottage cheese. Whip until smooth, about 30 seconds.
   
4. Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the Greek yogurt and whisk to blend.
   
5. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Add black pepper, to taste, if desired. Mix well to combine.
   
6. Add the feta and Parmesan. Stir to combine.
   
7. Press out any remaining moisture from the vegetable mixture and add it to the dough. Mix well to combine.
   
8. Evenly spread the batter into an 8x4-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper.
   
9. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test. (If the loaf is getting too brown on top, you can cover it with aluminum foil.)
   
10. Allow loaf to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.
    
    

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by HappyForks. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

Need to convert cooking and baking measurements? Here are some kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily.