German Breakfast Salad with Quark and Herbs Quark mit Kräutern Recipe
Quark mit Kräutern is a simple, herb-packed quark spread that in Germany is often eaten for breakfast or dinner with a slice of bread and vegetables. It is light, fresh and full of herbs, a bit like Polish cottage cheese with chives, but usually looser and creamier. It’s perfect when you want to quickly prepare something homemade to go with bread without spending much time in the kitchen.
This quick quark and herb spread is fresh, protein-rich and very versatile: it works as a sandwich topping, dip or light sauce. It brings a touch of German Abendbrot (evening bread) culture to your table with minimal effort.
Chef's tips
Adjust the consistency with yogurt: less for a thicker spread, more for a dip-like texture. Fresh herbs make the biggest difference here, so use plenty and choose the ones you like most. A small splash of lemon juice brightens the flavour and keeps the herbs looking fresh.
How to serve
Serve in a small bowl, sprinkled with extra chopped herbs and radish slices. It pairs well with rye bread, wholegrain rolls, boiled potatoes or a simple plate of raw vegetables.
Ingredients
- semi-fat twaróg (Polish curd cheese) or German quark, if available - 250 g
- natural yogurt thick - 100 g
- chives chopped - 2 tablespoons
- parsley chopped - 1.5 tablespoons
- dill chopped - 1 tablespoon
- spring onion small, with green part - 1 piece
- lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
- rapeseed oil optional, for a milder taste - 1 tablespoon
- salt to taste
- black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- radish for serving, sliced - 4 piece
Preparation
- Transfer the twaróg to a bowl and mash with a fork so there are no large lumps. If you are using quark, just give it a light stir.
- Add the natural yogurt and oil, and mix until you get a creamy mixture. If you prefer a looser consistency, add 1–2 more tablespoons of yogurt.
- Finely chop the chives, parsley and dill. Very finely chop the spring onion, including part of the green tops.
- Add the herbs and spring onion to the cheese, pour in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Taste and, if necessary, adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper or lemon juice.
- Serve immediately with radish slices on top, or chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to let the flavours meld.
Storage
Store the quark and herb spread in the fridge in a closed container and consume within 1–2 days. Stir before serving, as it may release a little whey.
