Labneh - Lebanese Cream Cheese Recipe
Labneh - Lebanese Cream Cheese, a gut loving food! When you’re ready to become a fermenting Queen (or King), this is one of the easiest, cheapest and simplest recipes to start with. All you need is one ingredient, a cheesecloth or chux and 5 mins of prep!
Labneh is high in protein and low in lactose, which makes it one of the most easily digested forms of dairy. Given up to 60% of the population have a reduced ability to digest lactose (the sugar in dairy), it’s no wonder so many of us feel bloated, experience diarrhoea or feel sluggish after eating dairy products. Labneh is such a great alternative to other dairy sources like sour cream and regular cream cheese. It’s also deliciously tangy!
Plus it’s a fermented food, which means it’s rich in probiotics, which are can improve digestive health + your gut bacteria, reduce cholesterol levels and support immunity
You can make it at home with one ingredient and less than 5 mins of prep!
1. Put a cheesecloth or chux over a big bowl and add 500 grams of Greek or Goats yoghurt (I used Jalna yoghurt) into the cloth
2. Pull the ends up of the chux and tie it with a rubber band or secure the cheesecloth bag
3. Tie the cloth/chux to a hook or elevate it; you want the bag of yoghurt to be strained so liquid can be released and caught into a bowl
4. Leave it for at least 6 hours or overnight to release the liquid
5. Untie the bundle of strained yoghurt and it’ll be a firm blob of cream cheese consistency. Store it in a glass jar or container in the fridge. Use it on toast as a spread, as dip or as a condiment!
6. The liquid that’s left is whey. Keep it in the fridge for sauerkraut or other ferments.
7. Enjoy the cream cheese! I serve mine with olive oil and olives or olive oil and Zataar
I am a Naturopath and Nutritionist based in Lane Cove on Sydney's North Shore. I offer in person and online consultations so I can work with you from anywhere in the world! My mission is to help you restore vibrant health. I keep it simple! There’s no calorie counting, deprivation or fads. I draw on scientific research and clinical experience to give you personalised recommendations including practical nutritional recommendations, which includes 7-day meal ideas, recipes and shopping lists, and easy-to-apply lifestyle