Labneh Wa Zaatar Spiced Yogurt Cheese Recipes

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!

BRITISH YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Put a piece of cloth or coffee filter in a sieve.
• Mix the yogurt with cream and salt and pour it in the cloth. Drain for 12 hours, throw away the fluid.
• Form balls of the drained yogurt, and put them uncovered in the fridge for 24 hours.
• Roll them in the oregano and basil (or other herbs) and put them in the fridge for another 24 hours.
• Stack them in a glass jar and cover with olive oil.
• Keep in the fridge. Enjoy!

YOGURT CHEESE - LEMON

Steps:

• Combine everything in a small bowl.
• Refrigerate at least 3-hours.
• Serve with fresh fruit or on any dessert calling for sweetened whipped cream as a topping. Or eat it by itself in a little bowl.

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.

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.

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!