Homemade labaneh balls
Coated in a selection of spices, seeds and nuts, labaneh balls hide within them a perfectly creamy and tangy centre. They are wonderful spread on challah, toasty pita, or eaten with fresh vegetables. Labaneh balls are also incredibly impressive as an appetizer or as part of a cheese platter, especially when served swimming in a pool of olive oil spiked with chilli flakes. And they will keep in the fridge in a jar of oil for a couple of weeks in the fridge, so you can even make them ahead. If you're short on time, you can make avoid the balling and flavouring itself, and just serve labaneh spread on a plate and drizzled with olive oil. Everyone will love you anyway.
Ingredients
- 500-1000 ml whole Greek yogurt preferably goat's or sheep's milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Spices and flavourings of your choice:
- chives finely chopped
- za'atar
- sumac
- paprika smoked or sweet, both are fine; just make sure you're using high-quality paprika
- black sesame
- crushed walnuts
- extra virgin olive oil for serving
- chilli flakes for serving
Instructions
- Lay out two layers of cheesecloth over a strainer, and pour the yogurt into it. Tie the yogurt in the cheesecloth, creating a little sack that can be hung up. Hang cheesecloth with yogurt to dry over a sink for at least eight hours, and up to 24 hours. On a hot summer's day, transfer draining yogurt to the fridge after the night, and hang it in there to continue draining.
- To prepare labaneh balls, lay out each spice or flavouring on a flat plate. With well-oiled hands, roll labaneh into small balls, and then roll each ball in a different spice mixture.
- Drizzle olive oil onto a serving platter, and sprinkle with chilli flakes. Serve labaneh balls in the oil, and drizzle with a bit more oil.
- If you're short on time, avoid balling the labaneh and just serve it spread out on a plate, drizzled with olive oil, za'atar and sesame and/or sumac.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 49
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 49kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 224mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 118mg | 3% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 3IU | 0% |
| Calcium | 92mg | 9% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.