SkinnyMediterranean: Labneh
If you’ve never had labneh (pronounced LAB-neh) before, think of it as yoghurt meets cream cheese—thick, creamy, tangy, and ridiculously moreish. Spread it, dip it, dollop it… this Middle Eastern staple goes with nearly everything.
Servings: 8
Calories: 92kcal
Equipment
- nut milk bag
- metal sieve
Ingredients
- 500 g Greek yoghurt
- ½ tsp salt
To Serve
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh ripe tomato
- Za’atar Spice Mix (p.4)
- sumac
- chilli flakes
- fresh herbs
Instructions
Thermo Cooker
- Insert butterfly. Add yoghurt and salt to mixer bowl. Mix for 5 sec/speed 2/MC on or until just combined.
Conventional
- Add yoghurt and salt to mixing bowl and stir until just combined.
To make
- Line a sieve with a clean muslin cloth, nut milk bag or tea towel. Place over a bowl and pour in yoghurt. Gather edges and twist gently to secure, ensuring the bottom of the cloth isn’t touching the bowl.
- Place in the fridge and let it strain for 12–24 hr depending on how thick you want it.
- 12 hr = soft and spreadable, 24 hr+ = thick and rollable.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with tomato, herbs or spices before serving.
- Serve with Keftedes with hidden veg (p.35), Chicken Shawarma (p.81) or spread on toasted Confit Artisan Bread (p.9). Sprinkle with Za’atar Spice Mix (p.4), drizzle with good-quality olive oil and use as a dip with flatbreads.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. If strained until rolling consistency, submerge in olive oil in a sterilised jar it will keep for up to 1 month.
Notes
Dairy Free/Paleo: Use a thick, unsweetened dairy-free yoghurt with live cultures and additional salt to taste. If you can tolerate Goat or Sheep Milk yoghurt, this is best for an authentic Labneh.
Super Skinny: Using low-fat Greek yoghurt will reduce the creaminess but will still work. We recommend mixing half low-fat and half full-fat to reduce the calories and retain texture.
Low Fodmap: Use lactose-free Greek yoghurt.
Halved/Doubled: This recipe can be halved or doubled.
Nutrition
Serving: 36g | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.9g | Protein: 3.5g | Fat: 6.2g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 195mg | Sugar: 4.9g
