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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

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

Ingredients

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

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.

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