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5.0 from 3 votes

Labneh

Labneh is a Middle Eastern specialty, a kind of cheese prepared with yogurt made from rich milk, which has been drained to remove most of its whey.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
23 hrs
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 people
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

For the yogurt
  • 3 quarts whole milk
  • 1 cup plain yoghurt
For the labneh
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • zaatar
  • ⅓ cup pistachios (or 2 tablespoons dried rose petals)
Equipment
  • cheesecloth
  • Kitchen string

Instructions

Yogurt
    Cup of Yum
  1. Boil the milk for 5 minutes over low heat.
  2. Remove from heat and wait until warmed to 110 F (45˚C)
  3. Mix the plain yoghurt with 5 tablespoons of warm milk.
  4. Then add the yoghurt to the remaining milk.
  5. Wrap well in a blanket or clean kitchen towel and place the mixture in a warm place.
  6. Let stand for 8 hours.
  7. At the end of the 8 hours, refrigerate the preparation for 2 hours.
Labneh
  1. Rinse the cheesecloth under hot water. Wring it and spread it on a large plate.
  2. Pour the yogurt mixture in the middle of the cheesecloth. Close with a knot or string.
  3. Hang on to a wooden spoon or place in a colander with very fine holes.
  4. Place the colander or the wooden spoon over a large salad bowl without touching the bottom and place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
  5. The yoghurt will drip very slowly.
  6. After 12 hours, the cheese will be firmer. After 24 hours, it will be very firm.
  7. Transfer the labneh to a bowl and drizzle olive oil on top.
  8. Sprinkle with a little zaatar, pistachios or some dried rose petals and enjoy with pita bread.
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