Labneh is a savory, thick yogurt spread very popular throughout the Middle East. You might be most familiar with labneh as a creamy spread, but it also comes as balls marinated in oil, they look very similar to fresh mozzarella, but these are significantly softer and still spreadable. The beauty of these is you can add other herbs and flavorings to the oil or even on each ball to give your labneh a unique flavor profile.
You can make labneh at home simply by straining all the liquid out of Greek yogurt, to turn it into balls you simply need to strain it even longer so the remaining yogurt is firm enough to form.
Marinated Labneh Balls
Servings
25 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 32 ounce plain whole Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Jamie Geller Za’atar
- Jamie Geler Harissa
- Jamie Geller Garlic Galilee Herbs
- 2 cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Line a colander with cheese cloth or a thin kitchen towel. Combine yogurt with salt in the cheesecloth and mix well. Bring up the sides of the cloth to cover the mixture and tie at the top so that you can hang over a large bowl to drain. You can let it drain overnight in the refrigerator or for several hours at room temperature where you can check on it periodically.
- Once the yogurt has strained as is firm to the touch it is ready to be shaped.
- Dip your fingers into oil and scoop about 2 tablespoons of the yogurt into your hands to roll into small balls about the size of a cherry tomato. It should make about 50 balls.
- Roll each ball in your choice of spices or keep them plain and transfer to a large jar.
- Cover with enough olive oil to fully submerge the labneh. Add the peppercorns and bay leaves. Cover with a lid.
- Labneh balls can be stored in the fridge for up to a month. We also recommend using the infused oil for cooking, as a salad dressing, or drizzled over avocado toast.
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