Herbed Yogurt Cheese Recipes

GREEK STYLE YOGURT HERB CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Put 4 layers of cheesecloth in a fine mesh sieve set over a large bowl or plastic container. Add the yogurt and cover with the cheesecloth overhang. Put a small plate directly on the cheesecloth and top with a 16-ounce can. Refrigerate for 1 hour. The desired consistency is that of Greek yogurt or thick sour cream. Store in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 10 days.

LABNEH DIP WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND FENNEL

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add onions, fennel, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until brown, about 45 minutes. (If necessary, add a splash of water to keep onions from sticking.) Add sherry and Worcestershire; cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Stir together labneh, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt. Spread into a bowl or plate; top with onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with more thyme, and serve with crackers and crudités.

HERBED YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• First put a paper towel in the bottom of a strainer, put the strainer in a bowl with at least a 2" clearance on the bottom, put the yogurt in the lined strainer, cover with plastic wrap& place in the fridge over night orup to 2 days.
• Drain & discard fluid Place the yogurt cheese in a bowl add remaining ingredients stir and enjoy Store the cheese in the fridge.

BOURSIN HERBED YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in bowl.
• Refrigerate several hours to overnight so flavors will meld.

WHITE BEAN CHILI WITH HERBED YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Pick over dried beans, discarding any stones or broken beans; rinse. Place in a large saucepan, cover with cold water by 2 inches, and bring to a strong boil over high heat. Cover, and remove from heat; let stand 1 hour. Drain the beans; set aside.
• Meanwhile, place peppers directly over the trivet of a gas-stove burner over high heat or on a grill. As they turn black, turn with tongs. (Alternatively, place peppers on a baking pan; broil in oven, turning as peppers become charred.) Transfer charred peppers to a medium bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Let peppers rest 15 minutes. Transfer to a work surface (do not rinse). Peel off blackened skin; discard. Halve peppers; remove seeds and ribs; discard. Cut pepper into 1/4-inch pieces; set aside.
• Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, carrot, and celery. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, paprika, and cayenne, if using; stir to combine. Stir in stock, water, beans, and half the roasted poblano peppers. Cover; cook until beans are soft, about 1 1/2 hours. Uncover; simmer gently until beans begin to fall apart, about 30 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Serve chili garnished with remaining poblano peppers, radish, cilantro, and yogurt cheese, if desired.

YOGURT CHEESE (LABNEH)

Steps:

• In a large bowl stir the salt into the yoghurt.
• Spoon the yoghurt in the center of a piece of doubled cheesecloth or soft cotton fabric (preferably undyed and immaculately clean).
• Pull corners up and tie tightly.
• Suspend from a stationary object over a bowl (to catch liquid).
• Let this hang overnight or about 12 hours.
• When well drained it will be the consistency of cottage cheese.
• Remove from the cloth.
• Store covered in the refrigerator until needed.
• You can mix in fresh or dried herbs, minced garlic, pepper flakes, anything you would use to make an herbed cheese.
• Or you could drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and some cumin and dip pita crisps into it-- The sky's the limit really- so many uses!
• To make Yoghurt Cheese Balls (Labneh Makbus) (a great little appetizer!), drain the yoghurt for 10-12 hours longer.
• Take about one tablespoon at a time and roll it into smooth, round balls and place on a tray.
• Chill until firm.
• This will take several hours.
• After they are firm and slightly dried out, place in a sterile, air tight jar, cover with olive oil.
• Seal the jar and store at room temperature.
• The labneh will keep this way for several months but you will have eaten them all up long before that!
• Enjoy Labneh Makbus cut into halves, drizzled with olive oil and eaten with olives and fresh pita bread.

HERBED YOGURT

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, cilantro, mint, jalapeño and a pinch of salt. Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.