LifestyleDiscover labneh: the Middle Eastern cheese sensation

Discover labneh: the Middle Eastern cheese sensation

Labneh, a signature cheese from the Middle Eastern cuisine.
Labneh, a signature cheese from the Middle Eastern cuisine.
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Лариса Люндовская

8:31 PM EST, November 16, 2023

If you're searching for a snack that is as delicious as it is unique and healthy, then look no further. Let me introduce labneh — a Middle Eastern cheese that can be easily prepared with just three ingredients. Once you try it, it'll become a permanent addition to your snacks!

When I first encountered labneh, a Levantine yogurt cheese that resembles a rich, creamy dip, I was skeptical. Although I love exploring various culinary options (including challenging traditional classics), I tend to be selective when it comes to dairy-based snacks. The classic cheese paired with radishes and chives appears to be unbeatable for me.

Eventually, I decided to venture out and try making labneh. Middle Eastern cuisine has always intrigued me - it's a puzzle I've sought to solve piece by piece. I believed labneh could be an important step for me to understand it. And guess what? It was a hit! The effort paid off: I found myself delighting in the delicious cheese from the Mediterranean's Asian coast. Now, my entire family enjoys labneh!

Labneh: a simply-prepared, three-ingredient cheese

Ingredients:

  • 2.2 lbs of Greek yogurt,
  • parsley,
  • 1 clove of garlic,
  • seasoning: salt, dried marjoram, sweet paprika.

Preparation:

  1. Place the Greek yogurt in a bowl. Add a level teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of dried marjoram and ground sweet paprika. Then add chopped parsley and a clove of garlic (pressed). Mix well using a spoon.
  2. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and pour in the seasoned Greek yogurt. Form into a ball, and tie the cloth with a string. Place this back on the sieve which should be positioned over a bowl. Refrigerate the entire dish for 2 hours.
  3. After 2 hours, unwrap the bundle and place the cheese on a plate. Taste it and don't forget to let me know if it's your new favorite breakfast. Would you add any more spices to it, perhaps?
Country cheese is a delicious and healthy product, from which you can quickly make labneh.
Country cheese is a delicious and healthy product, from which you can quickly make labneh.© Canva
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