creamy french onion pasta (high protein)

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 white onions, thinly sliced
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ sprig thyme
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup water
• ¾ cup low-fat small curd cottage cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2–3 tbsp warm water
• milk, as needed
• pasta
• parmesan

Recipe

1. Heat a large pan
2. Lightly oil the cut side of 1 lemon (halved) and place both halves cut-side down
3. Char 4–5 minutes, then remove and set aside
4. In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp olive oil
5. Add 1.5 thinly sliced white onions and ½ tsp salt
6. Cook 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelized
7. Stir in 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp soy sauce
8. Cook 3–5 minutes until glossy
9. Lower heat and add 2–3 minced garlic cloves, ½ sprig thyme, and ¼ tsp black pepper
10. Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant
11. Add ¼ cup water and simmer 1–2 minutes until mostly reduced
12. Blend until completely smooth: ¾ cup low-fat small curd cottage cheese, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2–3 tbsp warm water
13. Keep heat on low and stir the blended cottage cheese into the onions
14. Add milk as needed, stirring constantly until creamy
15. Add pasta
16. Off heat, stir in juice from ½ charred lemon, and parmesan