You don't know how to use quark cheese? Here's the recipe for apple protein pie

Che's always making the same basic dishes? It is time to leave the gastronomic comfort area and try other specialties with the quark cheese it's been parked in the fridge.

Chef Hélio Loureiro presented in the program Praça da Alegria of RTP 1 a protein pie that promises to give the best possible use to this type of cheese.

With few ingredients and a preparation without major complications, this recipe adds the apple flavor to the creaminess of the quark cheese and bets on a protein-rich profile – which is perfect for the days you want to escape the usual meals, but without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

What are the benefits of quark cheese?

In addition to the creamy consistency and the “light acid flavor that resembles the flavor of yogurt”, the Clinical Nutrition Unit of Hospital Lusíadas Lisboa, explains on the website of Grupo Lusíadas Health the positive nutritional aspects of this cheese:

“It’s a good solution because it’s a food rich in protein of high biological value and for having a low fat content and carbohydrates.”

In addition, they stress that this is a food widely used by those who practice physical exercise, since it has a very low fat content and a high protein content, which is the perfect combination for maintenance and muscle mass gain.

“ It can also be used for weight loss, given the reduced fat and carbohydrate content”, add.

Other suggestions for using this type of cheese:

• To accompany more elaborate breakfasts, for example by mixing with fruit, oatmeal, dried fruit and granola; 
• Make homemade sauces with herbs and then season salads;
• For more elaborate options it is common to use also in lasagna and cannellone sauces.
  Lasagna, cannellones.
• To make the basis of some healthier sweets such as cheesecakes, pies, cakes, ice cream and pancakes.

And in practice how can you use this ingredient? Check out the recipe for the protein apple pie you can make for both a snack and a more elaborate dinner.

Here's Chef Hélio Loureiro's recipe for apple pie and quark cheese 

Ingredients

5 apples
1 lemon
Cinnamon
150 grams of brown sugar
50 grams of butter
100 grams of quark cheese

Method of preparation

1 . After peeling the apples cut into very thin slices and wrap in lemon juice and sprinkle with cinnamon;

2 . Light the sugar with the butter and let it caramelize add the apples and wrap;

3 . Add the quark cheese and wrap;

4 . Remove from the fire and let it cool completely;

5 . Line a pie form with the leaves of fillet dough always interspersed with melted butter brush strokes at least five layers, place the filling and fold the leaves that remained outside the pie form put some more leaves now as the pie is always interspersed with butter brush strokes being the last abundant;

6 . Put it in the oven for 30m to 160oc to make it very crispy;

7 . Remove the shape of the pie that should be removable background and serve hot.