Warm Ham, Lentil and Courgette Cottage Cheese Skillet
A rapid skillet toss combining savory smoked ham, earthy green lentils, courgette, and wilted kale over creamy cottage cheese. Perfectly warm, satisfying, and ready in just 10 minutes.
Prep
4 min
Cook
6 min
Total
10 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Becky + Lila
Becky created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
4 min
Cook
6 min
Total
10 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently on low heat.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat…
- 01
Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat…
Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C) and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Slice half a courgette into half-moons and…
Slice half a courgette into half-moons and add to the hot skillet, cooking for 3 minutes until slightly softened and browned at the edges.
Look for: slightly softened and browned at the edges
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add 75 grams of diced cooked ham
Add 75 grams of diced cooked ham, 100 grams of drained canned green lentils, and a handful of chopped kale to the pan.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir continuously for 3 minutes until the…
Stir continuously for 3 minutes until the kale is completely wilted and the lentils and ham are thoroughly heated through.
Look for: the kale is completely wilted and the lentils and ham are thoroughly heated through
Tap card to mark done - 05
Remove the skillet from heat and stir…
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 100 grams of cottage cheese just until combined and warm, taking care not to boil it.
Look for: combined and warm, taking care not to boil it
Tap card to mark done - 06
Spoon into a bowl and serve immediately
Spoon into a bowl and serve immediately.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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