Labneh Wa Zaatar Spiced Yogurt Cheese Recipes

LABNEH (LEBANESE YOGURT)

Steps:

• Mix Greek yogurt, olive oil, mint, dill, and kosher salt together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours.

SPICED LABNEH

Steps:

• Whisk labneh, allspice, and 1 1/2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper in a medium bowl; season with salt and black pepper. Drizzle with oil and top with more Aleppo pepper.

LABNEH (LEBANESE CREAM CHEESE)

Steps:

• Line a large colander with a cheesecloth. Stir salt into the yogurt, and pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth. Set the colander in the sink or bowl to catch the liquid that drains off. Leave to drain for 24 hours.
• After draining for the 24 hours, transfer the resulting cheese to a bowl. Stir in the olive oil. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

LABNEH WA ZA'ATAR (SPICED YOGURT CHEESE)

Steps:

• Pour 2 cups of yogurt into a white flour sack towel or a few layers of cheese cloth, and squeeze out the whey until you cannot squeeze out any more.
• Place in a strainer over a bowl and refrigerate for about 24 hours squeezing out the whey every six hours or so until it forms a ball and is the consistency of cream cheese.
• Toast the sesame seeds in a small frying pan just until they turn golden; remove from heat.
• Mix together the za'atar spices and toasted sesame seeds in a shallow bowl.
• Divide the cheese into 3 sections and roll each into a ball.
• Roll cheese balls one by one in the spices.
• Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh mint. Enjoy!

HOMEMADE LABNEH WITH OLIVE OIL AND ZA'ATAR

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, salt, and lemon juice. Line a colander with three layers of cheesecloth and place the colander over a large bowl. Pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover the whole thing with plastic wrap, and set the bowl in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight, emptying the liquid in the bowl as needed. If you're not using it in a recipe, you can serve it on its own. Top with a big splash of olive oil and additional seasoning and serve with pita. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

ROASTED SPICED CARROTS & LABNEH

Steps:

• Spoon the natural yogurt into the middle of a double layer of muslin, then tie the ends at the top using kitchen string. Hang the muslin sack over the tap and leave to drain into the sink overnight.
• The next day, tip the labneh into a bowl and stir in ½ tsp fine sea salt and most of the dill.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Toss the carrots, olive oil, za'atar and coriander seeds together on a baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Roast for 15-20 mins, or until tender. Season.
• Spread the labneh over a serving plate and top with the carrots. Scatter with the rest of the dill, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle over some chilli flakes, if using. Serve with crusty bread.

HOW TO MAKE LABNEH (CREAMY YOGURT CHEESE)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the yogurt and the salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning (the flavors will intensify once the whey is separated form the yogurt).
• Line a colander with several layers of cheesecloth and place it over a deep bowl. Transfer the yogurt to the colander, fold the cheese cloth over it, and cover with an inverted plate. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours, or better, overnight. The longer you leave it the thicker it will become.
• To serve, spoon some of the labneh into a serving bowl, top with toasted pine nuts, za'atar (or your favorite dried herb mixture) and drizzle liberally with extra virgin olive oil. Serve with toasted pita bread and/or sliced veggies.