Speedy Dill Lemon Cottage Cheese and Cucumber Salad

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cucumber: Dice the cucumber into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4 inch). If using standard cucumbers (not English), salt them lightly and let sit in a sieve for 10 minutes to draw out excess water; pat dry before use.
2. Mince Aromatics: Finely mince the red onion. Zest and juice the lemon. Roughly chop the fresh dill and snip the chives.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In the mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, mayonnaise (or yogurt), lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir gently until just combined—we want some texture, not a smooth paste.
4. Fold in Solids: Add the diced cucumber, minced red onion, chopped dill, and chives to the bowl.
5. Season: Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust lemon or salt as necessary.
6. Chill & Serve: Gently fold everything together one final time. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. Serve cold.