Yogurt Cheese With Olives Capers And Pistachios Recipes

YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a strainer with two layers of cheesecloth. In a medium bowl, mix together the yogurt, salt, pepper and garlic.
• Pour into the cheesecloth lined strainer. Place the strainer over another bowl to catch the liquid, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, until all of the liquid has drained off. Empty the drainage bowl occasionally so you can see when the cheese has stopped draining.
• Transfer cheese to a covered container, and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

YOGURT PARFAITS WITH CHERRIES AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Combine the cherries and sugar in a bowl and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. The cherries should be slightly softer and sitting in a syrup.
• Place a strainer over a bowl and drain the cherries. Divide the cherries into two equal portions. Stir the syrup into the yogurt. Add the honey and the almond extract and mix together well.
• Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into the bottom of each of four 7- to 8-ounce tumblers or parfait glasses. Distribute the first portion of cherries among the glasses. Sprinkle pistachios over the cherries. Repeat the layers but do not sprinkle pistachios over the top until you are ready to serve. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining chopped pistachios over the top of the parfaits.

YOGURT AND PISTACHIO CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Toast pistachios in the oven until crisp but not brown, about 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, rub pistachios between your hands or towels to remove the outer skins, then grind them finely in food processor. Add the flour, soda, and salt, and process briefly.
• Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• In a mixer, beat the egg yolks with 1/2 cup of the sugar until pale yellow and thick ribbons. Mix in the yogurt, then the olive oil. With a spatula, fold in the reserved flour mixture.
• Beat the egg whites to soft peaks, add remaining 3/4 cup sugar and beat to stiff peaks. Fold egg whites into the batter. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 45 to 55 minutes, or until done. Cool on a rack, remove from pan and serve with drained yogurt, honey and chopped pistachios.

LEBANESE YOGURT CHEESE WITH ZA'ATAR AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Line a sieve with cheesecloth. If the cheesecloth is loosely woven (most supermarket brands are), use a triple thickness. Pour the yogurt into the sieve, then gather the edges of the cheesecloth and tie into a bag. Hang the bag over the sink or over a bowl to catch the drippings. Let drain for 8 hours.
• Turn the soft, creamy cheese out onto a platter. Season the surface with salt to taste, drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with za'atar. Surround the cheese with the olives and radishes. Serve with the warm pita bread wedges.

BLACK-OLIVE YOGURT CHEESE WITH FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Wet large square of cheesecloth and wring dry. Line sieve with damp cloth; place sieve over bowl. Spoon yogurt into sieve, fold cheesecloth ends over yogurt, and chill overnight to drain.
• Scrape drained yogurt into medium bowl. Mix in olives and lemon juice.
• Do ahead: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover; chill.
• Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl. Place on platter with flatbreads and/or crackers.

ISRAELI YOGURT "CHEESE" WITH PITA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Set strainer over large bowl. Line strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth, allowing 4 inches to extend over sides of strainer (do not let strainer touch bottom of bowl). Spoon yogurt into strainer. Gather cheesecloth together; fold over yogurt. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight (liquid will drain out and yogurt will thicken).
• Combine sesame seeds, salt, summer savory, cayenne and cumin in small bowl. Open cheesecloth at top. Using rubber spatula, transfer drained yogurt to bowl. Drizzle olive oil over. Sprinkle with sesame seed mixture. Place bowl in center of platter; surround with pita bread triangles and olives.
• Broil tomatoes until skins begin to split and blacken in spots, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes. Cool. Peel tomatoes. Cut into wedges. Arrange peppers, tomatoes and eggs on platter. Sprinkle with tuna and capers. Mix oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over salad.

YOGURT CHEESE WITH PITA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Set strainer over large bowl.
• Line strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth, allowing 4 inches to extend over sides of strainer (do not let strainer touch bottom of bowl).
• Spoon yogurt into strainer.
• Gather cheesecloth together; fold over yogurt.
• Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight (liquid will drain out and yogurt will thicken).
• Combine sesame seeds, salt, summer savory, cayenne and cumin in small bowl.
• Open cheesecloth at top.
• Using rubber spatula, transfer drained yogurt to bowl.
• Drizzle olive oil over.
• Sprinkle with sesame seed mixture.
• Place bowl in center of platter; surround with pita bread triangles and olives.
• Broil tomatoes until skins begin to split and blacken in spots, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes.
• Cool.
• Peel tomatoes.
• Cut into wedges.
• Arrange peppers, tomatoes and eggs on platter.
• Sprinkle with tuna and capers.
• Mix oil and lemon juice in small bowl.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle dressing over salad.

CRISPY HALLOUMI CHEESE WITH CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Cover capers with fresh water in a bowl and soak for 5 minutes to remove excess salt; drain.
• Chop capers coarsely. Stir together capers, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, and crushed coriander seeds in a small bowl. Season with ground black pepper.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Brush the halloumi slices with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Cook halloumi slices directly on the grill grate until golden, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side until soft in the center and golden on the outside, about 2 more minutes.
• Place halloumi slices on a serving plate. Drizzle with caper sauce and sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper.