Labneh cheese is a thick, creamy Middle Eastern cheese made from strained yogurt. It has a tangy, slightly sour flavor and a smooth, spreadable texture. Labneh is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert. In this article, we will provide two recipes for making labneh cheese at home, as well as three recipes for using labneh cheese in delicious dishes.
The first recipe is a traditional method for making labneh cheese using cheesecloth and a colander. The second recipe is a quicker method that uses a yogurt maker. Once you have made your labneh cheese, you can use it to make a variety of dishes, such as a simple labneh dip, a creamy labneh sauce, or a refreshing labneh salad. We will also provide a recipe for a delicious labneh cheesecake, which is a perfect way to enjoy this unique cheese.
LABNEH (LEBANESE CREAM CHEESE)
This is the Lebanese version of cream cheese, a lot tastier and lower in calories. Serve on a plate, sprinkled with olive oil, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and mint. Or simply spread it like cream cheese on pita bread.
Provided by LEBANESE
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Cheese Dips and Spreads Recipes
Time P1DT5m
Yield 32
Number Of Ingredients 3
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 92.1 calories, Carbohydrate 8.6 g, Cholesterol 7.4 mg, Fat 3.6 g, Protein 6.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 158.5 mg, Sugar 8.6 g
LABNEH CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 8h15m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the labneh: stir the salt into the yogurt, then transfer the mixture to a cheesecloth-lined strainer set over a bowl. Gather the ends of the cheesecloth to shape the yogurt into a ball and give it a gentle squeeze. Tie the ends of the cheesecloth into a knot. Tie a few inches of twine to the cheesecloth and suspend it from a small rod or chopstick set over a tall container (make sure the cheesecloth pouch is a few inches above the bottom of the container).
- Place the entire container in the refrigerator to drain. For firm labneh cheese that can be shaped into balls, let sit overnight. (For creamy, softer labneh let it sit only 6 to 8 hours.)
- For the seed and herb coating: after the labneh has drained overnight, mix the sesame seeds, sumac, dried thyme, dried mint, nigella seeds and red pepper flakes together in a shallow dish.
- Oil your hands and shape the cheese into 2 tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball in the spice mixture to coat completely and place in a 32-ounce airtight container. Cover the cheese with 2 cups olive oil and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- Serve with bread, green olives, pickled cucumber, mint leaves, zaatar and red tea.
HOW TO MAKE LABNEH (CREAMY YOGURT CHEESE)
A delicious creamy spread made with strained Greek yogurt - perfect as an appetizer, a snack, or, a condiment.
Provided by Marilena Leavitt
Categories Appetizer, Snack
Time 10m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
LABNEH WA ZA'ATAR (SPICED YOGURT CHEESE)
A tasty spiced cheese similar to cream cheese that can be used as a spread over pita, or with cucumber slices, crackers, chips or whatever you like. This is my own za'atar recipe but if you have your own you can use that instead if you like, since mine isn't all that authentic. ;) (The preparation time includes letting the yogurt drain.)
Provided by Leahs Kitchen
Time P1D
Yield 3 Cheese balls, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
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!
Tips:
- Use whole milk for a richer, creamier labneh.
- Make sure the milk is fresh; otherwise, the labneh may not set properly.
- Use a cheesecloth-lined colander to drain the whey from the yogurt; this will help to ensure that the labneh is smooth and creamy.
- Hang the labneh in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or overnight, to allow it to drain properly and develop its full flavor.
- Labneh can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Labneh is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be spread on bread, crackers, or vegetables, or used as a dip or condiment. Labneh can also be used in recipes, such as salads, soups, and stews. With its creamy texture and tangy flavor, labneh is a great addition to any meal.
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