Labneh Recipe

Labneh

Simple Homemade Cheese with Complexity and Tang

This delicious Middle Eastern cheese can be served as a creamy dip or rolled into flavorful spheres, coated with herbs and spices, and suspended in olive oil. Whatever your choice, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, very simple to make, and the flavor pairings are endless.


Ingredients

12 ounces of your favorite plain Greek yogurt

a small pinch of salt


Instructions

Step 1

Mix together thoroughly your greek yogurt and salt.

Step 2

Set a strainer over a bowl (large enough to catch about two cups of liquid) and line with a clean kitchen towel, or 3 layers of cheesecloth.

Step 3

Pour your yogurt mixture into the lined strainer, gather the corners of the towel, twist to close, and place a heavy canned good on the top of the towel for weight.

Step 4

Place everything in the fridge and leave undisturbed for 24 - 48 hours depending on what texture of cheese you are aiming for.

24 hours will give you a thicker cream cheese spreadable dip consistency, while 48 hours will give you more of a crumbly goat cheese texture.


Presentation Options

To make a dip, I will leave the yogurt mixture undisturbed for around 24 hours in the fridge. Once it has reached that consistency I am looking for, I spread the labneh into a shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil, topped with fresh herbs and spices.

To make more of a goat cheese consistency I will leave the yogurt mixture for around 48 hours. I will often then take the labneh and roll it into golf ball-sized spheres and coat the outside of the round cheeses with fresh herbs and spices. I then place the cheeses into a container and cover with olive oil. When it comes time to eat, I pull the cheese out of the olive oil and serve.


Flavor Pairing Inspiration

Savory

  • zaatar spice

  • sumac

  • chili powder

  • caramelized onions

  • roasted garlic

  • fresh herbs such as mint, dill, fennel, tarragon, rosemary, or thyme

  • seeds

Sweeter


Serve With

These are just a few simple ideas to get your wheels turning, the options are endless…

  • bread, pita, or crackers

  • smoked salmon

  • fresh veggies or fruit

  • olives

  • Tomato and cucumber salad

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