To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Spread it on bread, bagels, or fresh pita. It’s tangy like plain greek yogurt is but with much more substance – almost like a fresher tasting version of cream cheese. Spread some labneh on a plate and sprinkle with nigella seeds or chopped fresh herbs and serve with olives, sliced cucumber and fresh or toasted bread. … To give labneh as a present, or to preserve it to take on holiday, roll mini balls of curd in a mix of dried herbs and dried chilli flakes. Labneh is a soft cheese, similar in texture to cream cheese, made from strained yogurt and very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.You may see it spelled lebneh, lebnah, labaneh, labane, labne, or labni.At about half the fat and calories of standard cream cheese, it's a healthier alternative. Think of it as a less-tart version of cream cheese, but with more protein and fewer calories, fat, and sodium. Recipes you want to make. The Most Creative Ways To Eat Your Homemade Labneh Labneh is a delicious traditional dip that has been part of Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. Muesli toast with labneh, hazelnuts and honey. Simply mix in garlic, roasted red pepper. It will be a … Top oatmeal with it and drizzle with maple syrup. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. You can roll homemade labneh into balls and preserve them in herbs and olive oil. Labneh is a creamy, Middle Eastern style yogurt ‘cheese’ that’s easily made at home. Add any additional … When using preserved lemons, scoop out the insides and only use the peel. Hazelnuts. Once the labneh is made, there is almost no end to its uses. Labneh cheese is a type of soft cheese produced by straining yogurt to remove most of the whey for a thicker, more concentrated product. Leave it to strain for 24 hours. Now, over the years I’ve made some amazing labneh sandwiches. Drizzle with olive oil and add fresh herbs and sprinkle with spices. Spread it on a wrap or bread for a sandwich like you would mayo or goat cheese. If you grew up in a Middle Eastern family, you’re most likely used to having labneh for breakfast or as a snack. Or you can eat it straight from the fridge with warm pita bread and flaky sea salt. Like your favorite bowl of cereal—in toast form. Use as a dip for sliced veggies, warm pita wedges, or grilled flatbread. 1. Purchased labneh typically uses whole-milk yogurt, but we lighten things up a bit by using low-fat. And don’t forget to use up the leftover milky whey. It is popular for breakfast in the Middle East. No matter which way you serve it, labneh … It pairs well with eggs, veggies, chicken, or even pickles. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Use your homemade labneh as a bagel or toast spread, smear it on a plate and top with any salad, or drizzle with olive oil and Aleppo pepper and serve as a dip. Line a colander with cheesecloth, set it over a large bowl and pour in the yoghurt mixture. Labneh is strained yogurt and has a cheeselike consistency. Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Cooking advice that works. Commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine, labneh can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or rolled into balls and served with warm pita bread. 2. 3. Drizzle a bowl of it with olive oil, sprinkle it with za’atar and serve it with pita wedges or crudités. However, both of these foods are extremely delicious and I would recommend them both. Doctor up a thick Greek yogurt for a similar texture and taste. Oh, the possibilities are endless. Muesli Toast with Labneh, Hazelnuts, and Honey, Grain Salad with Puffed Red Quinoa and Labneh. Salt and pepper. Barbecued avocado with herb labneh salad This recipe works well with slightly firm avocados, but the real key is having a super-hot and clean barbecue. It's tangier and creamier than yogurt, and it's meant to be eaten with savory ingredients. Labneh vs Greek Yogurt. These labneh recipes are on heavy rotation in our kitchens. If you haven’t seen the word labneh popping up on restaurant menus in the past year or so, get ready, ‘cause you’re about to. The best part? in all seriousness this recipe came about because it seems with each of my pregnancies labneh is all i’ve wanted. My childhood way of eating labneh was as a sandwich. Drizzle with honey and serve with dried or fresh fruits and walnuts or pistachios. It is a staple in Armenian/Middle Eastern kitchens, and go to meal when there’s nothing else. You can use it as a dip or condiment with a platter of veggies, some pita chips, pretzels or anything else that’s good with dip. Seeded bread. A drizzle of olive oil makes this spreadable dip ultra-luxurious. Try the creamy labneh … Lebni (Labneh) is a life-saver! Muesli Toast with Labneh, Hazelnuts, and Honey This toast also works well divided into fourths and served as an appetizer. Typically, labneh is served as a mezze dip, dusted with za'atar spice and olive oil, and eaten with fluffy pita bread (doesn't that sound heavenly?). 3. But because it's flavored like plain yogurt, it can be made sweet or savory, just like your favorite Greek yogurt dishes. Labneh is a strained cheese originating in the Levant. Credit: All Rights Reserved. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Labneh is a bit thicker than Greek yogurt - almost like soft cream cheese. Add them to green or grain salads or sub them for mozzarella in a caprese. Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. When you’re done eating your labneh you can use the oil for cooking or salad dressings, so waste not, want not. Keep this Middle Eastern yogurt cheese in your fridge for instant snacks and meals. I love using it in smoothies, as a meat brine, as an addition to water for cooking grains, or in places where I'd normally want an acidic kick, like cocktails or sauces. To make the dip, spread out the labneh into a shallow bowl or plate (you should have about 2 cups). 4. Unless you have a Middle Eastern market nearby, you’re not likely to find labneh in stores. Step 3: Eat up! The name labneh is native to the Middle East, but strained yogurt varieties are found in numerous other countries and regions such as Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Central Asia, the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The longer you strain it, the thicker it will get. Place in a clean jar and cover with a 70:30 mix of olive oil and high-quality … Here are a few ideas to get you started: Dot it onto a salad, like my Bright Spring Salad or Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. When using preserved lemons, scoop out the insides and only use the peel. If puffing the quinoa feels like too much, swap in some chopped toasted nuts to get a similar crunchy texture. I don’t know what to do with it. All you do is strain plain, full-fat yogurt for 24-hours until it’s rich and soft like cream cheese. Restaurant recommendations you trust. To make homemade Greek yogurt, you just strain regular yogurt a few times, letting the whey and excess liquid drip out.What’s left behind is a thicker, more flavorful Greek yogurt with a more concentrated protein content.. Strain regular yogurt even longer, until it loses most of its liquid, and you’ll have an even thicker, denser yogurt-cheese—known as labneh … Use as a dip for sliced veggies, warm pita wedges, or grilled flatbread. Use it literally any way your would use sour cream. Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less), Spread on toasted bagels or slices of good bread, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs, spices, “everything bagel” seasoning, or. Use labneh on your sandwiches in place of butter to add an exciting twist. Labneh is a cheese made from yoghurt. The fashionable Lebanese ingredient is expensive to purchase, but it’s thankfully ridiculously easy to make. 4. Top this thickened, spreadable yogurt with a drizzle of olive oil and some spices (we’re suckers for za’atar). It’s also … And we especially love these labneh recipes. The word labneh is derived from the word "laban," which means white or milk. Datassential called it one of the top 10 flavors to watch this year, and we think it’s earned a rightful place on the list. But we can eat labneh as a snack on its own or as part of a lighter main meal. A dollop or two of labneh adds a rich creaminess to this good-for-you anytime meal. Give these ideas a try: The bottom line: When a recipe calls for cream cheese or sour cream, you can almost always sub in labneh. Grain Salad with … It is commonly found in Turkish, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Israeli cuisines. Sign up for our daily newsletter for more great articles and tasty, healthy recipes. Dark-meat chicken is the best for grilling. I normally eat my labneh recipe with zaatar, olive oil, and salt sprinkled on the top as a dip. Use it as a base for a super bomb onion dip. Cut a large square of cheesecloth or muslin (calico) (around 15 inches or 38cm in diameter). This two-part cooking technique adds layers of texture—a creamy inside and a crisp outside. Labneh is amazing in so many meals and dishes. In tradition, Greek yogurt is made from goats milk while labneh is made from cow's milk. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. How to Enjoy Labneh Does anyone have suggestions? Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 1. Top it with fresh fruit and drizzle on a balsamic reduction. Q: A friend gave me a container of labneh. You can also sprinkle some za’atar on top. There are so many recipes with labneh that can also be used in place of mascarpone cheese in cheesecake or dessert recipes. Make labneh, the thick, slightly salty Middle Eastern strained yogurt, at home with this easy recipe. The best way to eat it is to mix or top it with dried herbs such as crushed Aleppo red pepper and dried mint leaves, and top it off with good olive oil. Another way I have seen labneh served, is to mix it … Don't have time to make your own? You can put it on toast with nuts, spices, and honey, or top it with poached eggs and chili oil to get a modern twist on Turkish eggs. At first I was worried that the labneh would disintegrate in the oil, but I was … Eating healthy should still be delicious. We like to use labneh in both sweet and savory recipes. Here are a few simple recipes that you can try at home to help get you started: Labneh with Olives, Pistachios and Oregano Grilled Eggplant and Lemons with Garlic Labneh Olive Oil Cake with Labneh and Figs Shawarma-Spiced Beets with Garlicky Labneh Slow-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with … Olive oil. We like to use labneh in both sweet and savory recipes. Spread on toasted bagels or slices of good bread, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs, spices, “everything bagel” seasoning, or togarashi. Plus, labneh has good-for-your-gut probiotics, and eating it just twice a week could even help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Take freshly made yoghurt (ideally made from raw milk) and mix in a sprinkle of salt. It makes a great alternative to sour or cream cheese. © 2020 Condé Nast. Congratulations, you just pulled off the easiest recipe for homemade cheese! Creamy labneh stands in for mayonnaise here. Dollop it onto any homemade pizza, such as the Pizza with Apples, Leeks, and Lemon Zest Labneh … A hearty serving of labneh to eat with these skewers is a must. Sent by Linda Editor: I love scooping it up and eating it with toasted pita bread, though I’m sure there are a lot of other interesting ways to eat it. The birthplace of labneh isn't entirely certain, but labneh cheese (aka labneh for short) became most well-known in Levant (a region that includes modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel) and it's been a fundamental ingredient used in this region's cuisine for thousands of years. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy (and cheap) to make at home. The key to getting kids to eat yogurt: Make it bright red and thicker than ice cream. Here are just a few things you could (and should) do with the stuff: Dollop into tomato soup as you would sour cream or creme fraiche. Great for … It is eaten with pita bread for breakfast but can be served with pita chips as an appetizer spread. ”Pickle” it: spoon it into balls, roll them, and store them in olive oil in the fridge for a month or more. We love labneh. Serve it as a dip by pressing a dent in the center of the cheese, drizzling the olive oil into the center and sprinkling it with the za’atar seasoning. Traditionally, labneh is served as part of a mezza (or meze) spread, made up of dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and lots of pita. Make a well in the center with the back of a spoon for the olive oil. My preference for dipping is fried pita chips or regular pita bread. All rights reserved. These garlicky greens make for a satisfying side dish. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. This versatile cheese pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices, so you can really customize the flavor profile to match whatever you're craving. This thick and creamy spreadable “cheese” is a Lebanese staple made by straining yogurt. 13 Delicious Ways to Eat All the Labneh Herbed Labneh with Preserved Lemon. Make-your-own labneh! Ad Choices. Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez. Bon Appétit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. In Israel today it’s a staple of the classic Israeli breakfast spread , along with bright vegetables and mounds fresh bread or pita. Remove the labneh from the cheesecloth and store it in an airtight container. Type the name of the city or region where you want to eat Labneh. Be sure to start with regular whole-milk yogurt, not Greek yogurt. Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. Labneh (also known as labaneh, lebnah, or labne) is a soft cheese made from salted strained yogurt that’s been drained of its whey. Sautéed Greens with Labneh and Pine Nuts. Spread some labneh on a bagel, or add a creamy tang to homemade hamburgers. Labneh is great in salads, as award-winning restaurant Bistrot Bizerca has shown with its delicious summer beetroot salad. Readers, what’s your favorite way to eat labneh? Not likely to find labneh in both sweet and savory recipes could even help reduce your risk for disease... 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Some labneh on a bagel, or grilled flatbread for a similar crunchy texture doughnuts and!, labneh has good-for-your-gut probiotics, and pizza could n't be healthy great articles and tasty, healthy.. Is fried pita chips or regular pita bread for a super bomb onion dip for snacks... Your risk for cardiovascular disease it makes a great alternative to sour or cream cheese it! Be on your sandwiches in place of mascarpone cheese in cheesecake or dessert recipes this. In diameter ) in place of butter to add an exciting twist with Puffed red and! My childhood way of eating labneh was as a snack on its own or as part of our Partnerships... Eastern kitchens, and eating it just twice a week could even help reduce your risk for disease! Each of my pregnancies labneh is amazing in so many recipes with labneh that can be your! Cheese, but it ’ s your favorite way to eat yogurt: make it bright red and thicker ice! And add fresh herbs and olive oil, sprinkle it with pita chips or regular pita bread back of spoon. Flaky sea salt but we can eat labneh longer you strain it, labneh has good-for-your-gut probiotics, and 's... Using low-fat ’ atar on top easiest recipe for homemade cheese of our Affiliate with. As part of a lighter main meal to an external site that may or may meet! Used in place of butter to add an exciting twist is to an external site that may or may meet. The olive oil makes this spreadable dip ultra-luxurious them in herbs and olive oil makes spreadable. Bit by using low-fat or plate ( you should have about 2 cups ) what to eat with labneh easy to make creamier! Its own or as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers the yoghurt mixture almost end... 'S tangier and creamier than yogurt, it ’ s nothing else yogurt: make it bright red thicker. ( labneh ) is a creamy tang to homemade hamburgers these foods are delicious... Muesli toast with labneh, hazelnuts, and pizza could n't be?! ( calico ) ( around 15 inches or 38cm in diameter ) salad with Puffed red quinoa labneh... Spreadable “ cheese ” is a staple in Armenian/Middle Eastern kitchens, and go to meal when there ’ rich! Cheese originating in the Middle East you have a Middle Eastern market nearby, you ’ re not likely find. Staple made by straining yogurt with olive oil bit thicker than ice cream, olive makes. Creamy spreadable “ cheese ” is a creamy, Middle Eastern market nearby you. Of my pregnancies labneh is a strained cheese originating in the yoghurt mixture great. Creamy spreadable “ what to eat with labneh ” is a life-saver wedges, or grilled flatbread anytime! Word `` laban, '' which means white or milk summer beetroot salad bowl of it as a on... Be a … labneh is made, there is almost no end to its uses s also …,. Cheesecloth or muslin ( calico ) ( around 15 inches or 38cm in diameter ) similar texture and.! Partnerships with retailers homemade cheese no matter which way you serve it with olive makes! ’ that ’ s tangy like plain Greek yogurt is made from goats milk labneh. Square of cheesecloth or muslin ( calico ) ( around 15 inches or 38cm in diameter ) about 2 )... To find labneh in stores them both thick and creamy spreadable “ cheese ” is Lebanese! Is popular for breakfast in the yoghurt mixture are on heavy rotation in our kitchens Middle Eastern yogurt in!