Name: Fresh labna rolled in my zaatar with radish and chilli
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 15-18 balls
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: *Labna must be prepared 24 hours in advance.

Serve with grilled bread when guests drop by.Marina Oliphant

Time:<30 minsMakes:15-18 balls

Fresh labna balls are great to have on hand when guests drop in. Just remember to remove them from the fridge 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Roll the balls in a little zaatar and serve with grilled bread,crispbread or fresh Turkish bread and your favourite pickles.

Ingredients

*Labna must be prepared 24 hours in advance.

Labna

4 cups thick plain yoghurt
100ml canola oil
100ml virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic,sliced

Zaatar

150g (1 cup) toasted blanched almonds,crushed
40g (2 tbsp) sesame seeds
30g (4 tsp) ground cumin
5g (1 tsp) cumin seeds
10g (2 tsp) sumac
5g (½ tsp) ground black pepper
50g wild thyme (dried thyme is fine if you can't get wild)
pinch ground cardamom
sliced radishes and green chillies to serve

Method

Step1
Drain the yoghurt in the refrigerator for 24 hours in a fine sieve lined with a clean Chux or muslin cloth suspended over a bowl to catch the whey.
Step2
After 24 hours,and with well-oiled hands,tip out the yoghurt. It should be one firm ball. Pinch off piece of labna and roll into balls about the size of a 20¢ piece. Blend the oils together. Place balls in a flat-sided dish with garlic,pour blended oil over and store,covered,in the refrigerator.
Step3
Mix all the zaatar ingredients really well in a dry bowl. Use an airtight container to store.
Step4
To serve the labna balls,lift out of the oil and drain well. Roll in the zaatar and serve with slightly warmed or soft fresh bread,sliced radishes and green chillies.