This delicious Middle Eastern cheese can be served as a creamy dip or rolled into flavorful spheres, coated with herbs and spices, and suspended in olive oil. Whatever your choice, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, very simple to make, and the flavor pairings are endless.
Ingredients
12 ounces of your favorite plain Greek yogurt
a small pinch of salt
Directions
Step 1
Mix together thoroughly your greek yogurt and salt.
Step 2
Set a strainer over a bowl (large enough to catch about two cups of liquid) and line with a clean kitchen towel, or 3 layers of cheesecloth.
Step 3
Pour your yogurt mixture into the lined strainer, gather the corners of the towel, twist to close, and place a heavy canned good on the top of the towel for weight.
Step 4
Place everything in the fridge and leave undisturbed for 24 - 48 hours depending on what texture of cheese you are aiming for.
24 hours will give you a thicker cream cheese spreadable dip consistency, while 48 hours will give you more of a crumbly goat cheese texture.
Presentation Options
To make a dip, I will leave the yogurt mixture undisturbed for around 24 hours in the fridge. Once it has reached that consistency I am looking for, I spread the labneh into a shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil, topped with fresh herbs and spices.
To make more of a goat cheese consistency I will leave the yogurt mixture for around 48 hours. I will often then take the labneh and roll it into golf ball-sized spheres and coat the outside of the round cheeses with fresh herbs and spices. I then place the cheeses into a container and cover with olive oil. When it comes time to eat, I pull the cheese out of the olive oil and serve.
Flavor Pairing Inspiration
Savory
zaatar spice
sumac
chili powder
caramelized onions
roasted garlic
fresh herbs such as mint, dill, fennel, tarragon, rosemary, or thyme
seeds
Sweeter
infused honey (try this fennel seed infused honey recipe) and figs
warmed honey drizzle with edible flowers such as lilacs, acacia, or borage
warm roasted fruit
Serve With
These are just a few simple ideas to get your wheels turning, the options are endless…
bread, pita, or crackers
smoked salmon
fresh veggies or fruit
olives
Tomato and cucumber salad