It's the first Monday of the month which means one thing: Secret Recipe Club reveal for Group A. Hooray! It's also our kick-off post for 2014. Double hooray!! This month I was assigned to Chef in Disguise, a blog written by Sawsan, a Palestinian living in Jordan and a mom of two. I love that she shares authentic, Middle Eastern dishes as well as her take on traditional foods. I've been reading her blog for awhile, but this is the first time I've cooked from it. Fun, fun.
I was so tickled that she has a 'Cheesemaking 101' as part of her site. My very Precise Kitchen Elf has just started making cheese during the holidays and he loves it. We've made Homemade Marscarpone and Homemade Ricotta that he made into Ricotta Gnocchi. So, my choice was made for me: cheese! We decided to try these Middle Eastern yogurt balls. But we will definitely try her Nabulsi soon, too.
from Chef in Disguise's Homemade Labneh
2 lbs plain organic yogurt
1 t fleur de sel
1 T fresh herbs (I used fresh thyme)
1 T fresh herbs (I used fresh thyme)
Place your cheesecloth in the colander and place the colander
over a deep bowl or pot. Stir the fleur de sel and fresh herbs into the yogurt. Then spoon the mixture in the
center of a piece of the cheesecloth.
Leave to drain overnight in the fridge. Twist the cheesecloth around the mixture to express even more liquid.
When the labneh is at a malleable consistency, take about one scoop at a time and roll it into smooth,
round balls. We ate these immediately, garnished with more fresh herbs. But if you aren't going eat them right away, Sawsan says you can place the balls in a jar and cover them with olive oil.
What a treat! I will definitely be making these again.
What a treat! I will definitely be making these again.
How fun to take that on as part of the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela. It was fun!
DeleteI always wanted to try to make lebneh: looks so easy and it is delicious!
ReplyDeletePola, you definitely have to give it a try. So easy!
DeleteI had no idea that cheese like that could be made so easily, and with yogurt too. It sounds so delicious.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?!? It was delicious.
DeleteI have been wanting to make my own cheese for years and you've inspired me to make it a priority now. Thanks and fantastic choice for the SRC!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Jane, you should definitely give it a try. We've made a couple different kinds of fresh cheeses so far. It's so delicious!
DeleteHello Camilla :) Thank you so much for trying a recipe of mine and for all the nice things you said about me and about my blog.
ReplyDeleteI am really glad you liked the labneh, it is one of the staples in my house
Thanks for the inspiration, Sawsan!
DeleteThis one has been added to my "to do" list - looks wonderful and I'm a huge fan of labneh!
ReplyDeleteYes, Leigh, definitely give it a try. It's fabulous.
DeleteNever had labneh before and thinking I need to correct this oversight ASAP!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I had never had it either. But I am so glad I've tried it. You should, too!
DeleteWhat a great pick you got, will have to check her out as I have made quite a bit of cheese too. Your labneh looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It tasted amazing, too.
Deletewhat a great recipe to choose for SRC! i totally need to try this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah. Yes, you definitely need to try it. Let me know how it goes.
DeleteWow, u made u'r own cheese, great stuff ... this looks awesome. I so want to try this!
ReplyDeleteCool. How fun to make your own cheese. Love finding great blogs all around the world!
ReplyDelete