Easy Ranch Quick Bread

 

Cooking spray or butter, for coating the pan

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/4 tsp. fine salt

1 tsp. no-salt onion powder

3/4 tsp. no-salt garlic powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 large eggs

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

4 T. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives (about 1 large bunch)

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, preferably large curd

 

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Generously coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter; set aside. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, butter, dill, and chives in a medium bowl until combined. Add the cottage cheese and stir to combine. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture and stir and fold with a rubber spatula just until the flour is incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, push it into the corners, and smooth the top. Bake until golden-brown and a tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Test in several places, as you may hit a piece of cottage cheese.) Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Flip the bread out of the pan onto the rack (run a knife around the edges first if needed) and let cool for at least another 15 minutes before serving.