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Yogurt Cheese (Labneh)

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Yield

Serves 4 (Makes 8 ounces)

Yogurt Cheese (Labneh)

Ingredients

1 pound plain low-fat yogurt (2 cups), see note above

Before You Begin

Do not try to make yogurt cheese with yogurt containing modified food starch, gelatin, or gums -- they prevent the yogurt from draining and forming cheese. You can use regular, low-fat, and non-fat yogurt to make the cheese; however, we found the low-fat yogurt offered the best balance of fat and flavor.

Instructions

  1. Line a fine meshed strainer with 3 basket-style paper coffee filters or a double layer of cheesecloth. Set the strainer over a deep container (there should be enough room for a generous 1 cup of liquid to drain without touching the strainer). Spoon the yogurt into the strainer, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until the yogurt has released about 1 cup of liquid and has a creamy, cream cheese-like texture, 10 to 12 hours (it can stay in the strainer for up to 2 days).
  2. Transfer the yogurt cheese to a clean container, discarding the drained liquid. The cheese will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yogurt Cheese (Labneh)

Yogurt Cheese (Labneh)

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4 (Makes 8 ounces)

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

Before You Begin

Do not try to make yogurt cheese with yogurt containing modified food starch, gelatin, or gums -- they prevent the yogurt from draining and forming cheese. You can use regular, low-fat, and non-fat yogurt to make the cheese; however, we found the low-fat yogurt offered the best balance of fat and flavor.

Instructions

  1. Line a fine meshed strainer with 3 basket-style paper coffee filters or a double layer of cheesecloth. Set the strainer over a deep container (there should be enough room for a generous 1 cup of liquid to drain without touching the strainer). Spoon the yogurt into the strainer, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until the yogurt has released about 1 cup of liquid and has a creamy, cream cheese-like texture, 10 to 12 hours (it can stay in the strainer for up to 2 days).
  2. Transfer the yogurt cheese to a clean container, discarding the drained liquid. The cheese will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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