{"id":"recipe_f83b77767e","slug":"labneh","title":"Labneh","description":"A thick, tangy, and creamy Middle Eastern strained yogurt cheese, perfect for breakfast spreads or as a healthy dip.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":725,"activeMinutes":5},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g Full-fat Greek yogurt","name":"Greek Yogurt","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"full-fat","notes":"Plain, unsweetened","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 tsp Sea salt","name":"Sea Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"extra virgin","notes":"For serving","group":"Toppings","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tbsp Za'atar","name":"Za'atar","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"dried spice blend","notes":"Traditional topping","group":"Toppings","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt and sea salt. Mix thoroughly until the salt is evenly distributed.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the yogurt and sea salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Place a large piece of cheesecloth (folded into two layers) over a colander, then set the colander over a deep bowl to catch the liquid (whey).","group":"Preparation","title":"Place a large piece of cheesecloth","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Spoon the salted yogurt into the center of the cheesecloth. Gather the edges of the cloth and tie them together with string or a rubber band.","group":"Straining","title":"Spoon the salted yogurt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Straining"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place the setup in the refrigerator and let it strain for at least 12 hours (up to 24 hours for a firmer texture). Ensure the colander is elevated so the yogurt doesn't sit in the drained whey.","group":"Straining","title":"Place the setup in the refrigerator and let it strain","timerMinutes":720,"sourceTitle":"Straining"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Once strained, remove the labneh from the cheesecloth and transfer it to a serving plate. Spread it out with the back of a spoon, creating decorative swirls.","group":"Serving","title":"Remove the labneh from the cheesecloth","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with za'atar before serving.","group":"Serving","title":"Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For a thicker, firmer cheese similar to cream cheese, strain for a full 24 to 48 hours. If you prefer it as a spreadable dip, 12 hours is usually sufficient.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["colander","cheesecloth","mixing bowl","kitchen twine"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","low_carb","high_protein"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":250,"unit":"g","note":"Yields approximately half the weight of the yogurt used"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Labneh must be made at least 12 hours in advance to reach the correct consistency."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To extend shelf life, you can roll into balls and submerge in olive oil.","reheatingNotes":"Serve chilled; do not heat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_f83b77767e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9b437b8d-0405-43d9-94ce-784ed7914d45","imageAlt":"Labneh — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["healthy","protein","dip","yogurt","keto","low-carb"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Labneh","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:27:46.929Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:27:46.929Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2f05621352","slug":"bouyiourdi-greek-baked-feta","title":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta)","description":"A traditional Greek meze featuring salty feta cheese baked until melted with juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fragrant extra virgin olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2f05621352%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fd6db74e-cfd9-46b5-aa96-6e0e76c26c9a","imageAlt":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta) — recipe cover","tags":["feta","baked cheese","greek meze","spicy","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_66184712aa","slug":"creamy-homemade-hummus","title":"Creamy Homemade Hummus","description":"A silky, rich, and authentic Mediterranean chickpea dip blended with nutty tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic garlic. Perfect for dipping or as a spread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","mediterranean","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_66184712aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=648d20cf-84fe-4052-b8d8-79fced2e9554","imageAlt":"Creamy Homemade Hummus — recipe cover","tags":["hummus","chickpeas","vegan","healthy","mediterranean","dip","high protein","gluten free"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}