Homemade Yogurt Cheese Food

YOGURT CHEESE (LABNEH)

Steps:

• In a large bowl stir the salt into the yoghurt.
• Spoon the yoghurt in the center of a piece of doubled cheesecloth or soft cotton fabric (preferably undyed and immaculately clean).
• Pull corners up and tie tightly.
• Suspend from a stationary object over a bowl (to catch liquid).
• Let this hang overnight or about 12 hours.
• When well drained it will be the consistency of cottage cheese.
• Remove from the cloth.
• Store covered in the refrigerator until needed.
• You can mix in fresh or dried herbs, minced garlic, pepper flakes, anything you would use to make an herbed cheese.
• Or you could drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and some cumin and dip pita crisps into it-- The sky's the limit really- so many uses!
• To make Yoghurt Cheese Balls (Labneh Makbus) (a great little appetizer!), drain the yoghurt for 10-12 hours longer.
• Take about one tablespoon at a time and roll it into smooth, round balls and place on a tray.
• Chill until firm.
• This will take several hours.
• After they are firm and slightly dried out, place in a sterile, air tight jar, cover with olive oil.
• Seal the jar and store at room temperature.
• The labneh will keep this way for several months but you will have eaten them all up long before that!
• Enjoy Labneh Makbus cut into halves, drizzled with olive oil and eaten with olives and fresh pita bread.

YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place 4 layers of cheesecloth in colander set over a bowl. Add the yogurt and let drain overnight in the refrigerator. The desired consistency is that of soft cream cheese.

EASY HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a pot and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reduce heat and simmer, about 10 minutes; do not let it boil over.
• Remove pot from heat and allow to sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Dip your finger into the milk every once in a while to determine when you can leave your finger in the milk for 10 to 15 seconds without burning. Pour in the yogurt; there is no need to stir.
• Put the lid on the pot and carefully wrap a blanket around it. Place the wrapped pot in a slightly warm place where it will be undisturbed for 6 to 10 hours; overnight is best. Transfer to the refrigerator to allow the yogurt to continue to thicken.

YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a sieve with a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
• Suspend the sieve over a deep bowl.
• Place the yogurt in the filter and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the whey to drain out.
• When the yogurt has the consistency of a soft cream cheese, scrape the yogurt away from the filter and transfer it to a plastic container.
• Discard the liquid in the bowl and refrigerate the yogurt cheese.
• Use within 1 week, discarding any accumulated liquid before using.

YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a strainer with two layers of cheesecloth. In a medium bowl, mix together the yogurt, salt, pepper and garlic.
• Pour into the cheesecloth lined strainer. Place the strainer over another bowl to catch the liquid, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, until all of the liquid has drained off. Empty the drainage bowl occasionally so you can see when the cheese has stopped draining.
• Transfer cheese to a covered container, and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

GARLIC-HERB YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Fold a large piece of cheesecloth twice to form a 4-layer, roughly 18-inch square. Place in a sieve set over a large bowl, and spoon yogurt into center. Gathering the 4 corners, tie a piece of kitchen twine just above yogurt to form a tight bundle. Let yogurt (still in sieve over bowl) drain in refrigerator at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Cut open cheesecloth. Transfer yogurt cheese to a bowl; set whey aside for another use. Stir chives, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper into yogurt cheese. Serve with crudites and bread.