Labneh

Ingredients

Labneh is a wonderfully simple cheese to make at home. Simply, labneh is strained yoghurt. With roots in the Middle East and Mediterranean, it's versatile and has been embraced by food lovers worldwide. It's creamy, tangy and can be used as a dip, spread or a base for both savoury and sweet dishes. Here's how you can make it home.

1kg Greek yoghurt
1 tsp Sea salt

Optional for serving:
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh herbs (dill, mint or parsley, chopped)
Za'atar
Lemon zest for citrussy accent
Cracked black pepper for seasoning

Notes:
Use a high-quality, full-fat Greek yoghurt for the best flavour and texture.
You can play around a bit with the salt, try a sea salt like Murray River salt for a unique touch.

Method

In a large bowl, mix the Greek yoghurt with the sea salt until well combined.

Line the strainer with your cheesecloth (or tea towel) and place it over the bowl. Pour the salted yoghurt into the lined strainer. Bring the edges of the cloth together and twist to gently squeeze out some liquid. Be careful not to press too hard, you want most of the whey to strain out slowly.

Place the strainer (with the youghurt) and bowl in the refrigerator. Let the yoghurt strain for 24-48 hours, depending on how thick you prefer your labneh. The longer it strains, the thicker it becomes.

After 24 hours, check the labneh. If it's reached your desired thickness, it's ready. If you prefer thick let it sit for another day.

Once the labneh is to your liking, transfer it to a serving dish or an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To serve:
Drizzle with a good quality extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with fresh herbs, za'atar or lemon zest (or a mixture of all) and cracked pepper. Serve with warm pita bread, crisp vegetables or as part of a mezze board.

The great quality of labneh, is how versatile it is. Serving it with honeycomb for a sweet addition is a great way to liven a spread. Have fun with experimenting with different combinations.

Equipment

Cheesecloth, muslin or a clean, fine tea towel
Strainer
Deep bowl