Celery Spread with Cottage Cheese, Dijon Mustard and Ham

Some of the best recipes are built from ingredients that rarely get the spotlight.

Celery root is often overlooked. Most people know it from soups or vegetable stocks, but once cooked, it transforms into something surprisingly elegant. It develops a delicate sweetness, a creamy texture and subtle nutty notes that pair beautifully with cottage cheese, eggs and quality ham.

This Celery Spread with Cottage Cheese, Dijon Mustard and Ham is a perfect choice for breakfast, brunch, light lunches or casual entertaining. Dijon mustard adds brightness and depth, fresh chives bring a clean herbal freshness, and small cubes of ham create a pleasant rustic contrast to the creamy base.

Simple ingredients. Unexpectedly sophisticated results.

Why This Recipe Works

• Cooked celery root develops a naturally sweet and slightly nutty flavour.
• Cottage cheese creates a light and creamy foundation.
• Dijon mustard adds balance, acidity and depth.
• Hard-boiled egg contributes richness and a velvety texture.
• Finely diced ham provides texture and savoury character.
• Fresh chives add brightness and freshness.
• The result is creamy, balanced and surprisingly addictive.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 large celery root (celeriac)
• 250 g full-fat cottage cheese
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 80–100 g quality cooked ham, finely diced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp honey
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• A few drops of lemon juice

Optional:

• 30 g finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small clove roasted garlic

Method

1. Peel the celery root and cut into larger chunks.
2. Steam or boil until completely tender.
3. Allow to cool completely and gently squeeze out any excess moisture.
4. Mash or blend the celery root into a smooth consistency.
5. Add the cottage cheese, grated hard-boiled egg, Dijon mustard and honey.
6. Mix thoroughly.
7. Season with salt, black pepper and a few drops of lemon juice.
8. Fold in the chopped chives and finely diced ham.
9. If using Parmesan or roasted garlic, add them at the end.
10. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to develop.

TGCC Tip

The secret to an exceptional celery spread lies in removing excess moisture from the cooked celery root.

Allow it to cool completely and gently press out any remaining liquid. This concentrates the flavour and improves the texture significantly.

For additional texture and a rustic touch, use quality ham cut into very small cubes rather than blending it into the spread. Those little pieces create a much more interesting bite.

Serving Suggestions

• Fresh sourdough bread
• Toasted baguette slices
• Rye bread
• Homemade crackers
• Radishes
• Pickles or cornichons
• Fresh chives or microgreens

Wine Pairing

This celery spread pairs beautifully with fresh white wines that offer bright acidity and mineral character.

Recommended wines:

• Grüner Veltliner
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Brut sparkling wine

The freshness of these wines balances the creaminess of the spread while highlighting the natural sweetness of the celery root.

Recipe Details

Type: Spread / Cold Dish

Cuisine: Slovak / Central European

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4–6

Difficulty: Easy