Strained Yoghurt Labneh with Olive Oil and Fresh Mint

Inspired by techniques from Serious Eats and NYT Cooking.

Labneh · Levantine

Full-fat yoghurt is salted and strained through muslin in the fridge for a day until thick and spreadable, then swirled into a bowl and finished with olive oil, dried mint and fresh mint leaves.

Prep10 min
Cook0 min
Total10 min
DifficultyEasy
Per serving166 kcal
FreeHigh ProteinGluten-freeVegetarianNo added sugar
Servings8Recipe makes 8
Allergens (EU 14)
GlutenCrustaceansEggsFishPeanutsSoybeansMilkTree nutsCeleryMustardSesameSulphitesLupinMolluscs

Always check the labels of the products you use.

Method

  1. 1

    Season. Stir the salt into the yoghurt until dissolved.

  2. 2

    Line the sieve. Set a sieve over a deep bowl and line it with damp muslin.

  3. 3

    Strain. Spoon in the yoghurt, cover and strain in the fridge for 24 hours.

  4. 4

    Check the texture. It should be as thick as soft cream cheese; strain longer for firmer labneh.

  5. 5

    Plate. Spoon into a shallow bowl and make a swirl with a well in the middle.

  6. 6

    Finish. Fill the well with olive oil, add both mints and serve chilled.

Storage

Keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. Firm labneh balls kept under olive oil last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).

Why this label?

High Protein

11.3 g protein for 166 kcal = 6.8 g per 100 kcal, so protein gives about 27% of the energy. High Protein needs at least 20% (5 g per 100 kcal), the condition in the Annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. How we decide

Free sugars

Sugar (daily guide)

0 g per serving

0 % of the 50 g daily maximum · 0 % of the ideal 25 g

Free sugars under 50 g a day, ideally about 25 g, based on WHO free-sugar guidance (not endorsed by WHO). The share shown is the share of one serving. WHO

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • sieve
  • 2 layers of muslin or a clean thin tea towel
  • cling film
  • shallow serving bowl
  • spoon

Nutrition per serving (estimated values)

Per servingAmount
Energy166 kcal
Protein11.3 g
Carbohydrate5 g
of which sugars5 g
of which free sugars0 g
Fat11.3 g
of which saturates3.7 g
Fibre0 g
Salt0.84 g

Protein per 100 kcal

6.8 g meets High Protein (≥ 5 g, 20% of energy)

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values