I got the opportunity to taste the Middle Eastern food for the first time after shifting to Dubai around six years ago. I was a non-vegetarian at that time so I immediately started enjoying the local cuisine which is dominated by non-vegetarian dishes. However, I also got introduced to some vegan and vegetarian Middle Eastern dishes that I ate for the first time in the UAE and they became my favorite. Most of them are dips and appetizers like Labneh dip with za’atar. Labneh dip is served in every Middle Eastern Mezze. It’s made in different ways but my favorite is the basic one with just some garlic, za’atar, and olive oil. Sometimes, I also like adding toasted nuts, pomegranate, and fresh herbs to make it even more delicious. We love it so much that now it’s made every week at our home and we enjoy it with Indian meals too. It tastes great with Indian flatbread roti and paratha.
What goes in this dip?
To make this easy savory labneh dip with za’atar, you will need just a handful of ingredients:
LabnehWalnuts: Slightly dry roast the walnuts to enhance the flavor. Pecans or pine nuts can be used too.Pomegranate arilsFresh mint leavesParsley/ CilantroGarlicExtra virgin olive oilZa’atarSalt: Both labneh and za’atar are slightly salty so add salt carefully and only if required.
What is Labneh?
Labneh is a creamy and thick yogurt dip from the Middle east. It is similar to smooth and creamy hung curd or yogurt cheese. It is made by straining whey from yogurt by straining it.
What is za’atar?
Za’atar is a very popular spice blend from the Middle East. It is made by mixing different spices and dried herbs like oregano, thyme, toasted white sesame seeds, sumac, etc.
How to make labneh at home?
Though labneh is easily available in the dairy section of any Middle Eastern grocery store, the process of making it at home is also very simple and you can try it. To make labneh at home you will need a cheesecloth and a strainer. Put around 2 cups of thick whole milk yogurt on the double layer of the cheesecloth. Tie the cheesecloth and put it on a large strainer. Put the strainer over a bowl to collect the water released from the yogurt. Press the cheesecloth by putting a small can of beans or something of similar weight on top of it. Leave it like that for around 24 hours. After 24 hours, transfer the strained yogurt to a bowl. Add around ½ a teaspoon of salt and mix. Your homemade labneh is ready.
Labneh substitute suggestion
Instead of labneh, you can also make this dip using hung curd. You can add a few tablespoons of cream cheese or olive oil to hung curd to get a smoother consistency like labneh.
How to make Labneh dip with za’atar?
Making labneh dip is very easy and it gets ready in less than 5 minutes.
Step by step photo instructions
Serving suggestions
Labneh dip can be served with any appetizer especially Middle Eastern appetizers like falafel or couscous fritters. They taste great with vegetable sticks too. You can also use labneh dip as a spread on a toast or wrap.
Recipe tips and tricks
Frequently asked questions
More easy Middle eastern recipes
From Middle eastern dips to desserts, if you are looking for easy recipes from this part of the world then don’t miss checking the following links on my blog:
More easy vegetarian dips
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