Laban Cheese with Milk Kefir
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Creating a receipt for Laban Cheese with Milk Kefir:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of milk kefir
- 4 cups of whole milk
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt pepper and any special species that you want like Zaatar, Garlic(adjust to taste)
- Cheesecloth
- A fine-mesh strainer
- Large mixing bowl
- A large spoon or ladle
Instructions:
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Prepare the Milk Mixture:
- In a pot, combine the 2 cups of milk kefir. Gently heat the mixture over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. You want to heat the mixture, but do not let it come to a boil.
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Curdling the Mixture:
- When the milk mixture is warm (around 110°F or 43°C), add 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice. Stir gently. The lemon juice will curdle the mixture. Keep it on low heat for a few minutes, but do not boil. Continue stirring as curds form, and the whey separates.
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Straining the Curds:
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large mixing bowl. Line the strainer with cheesecloth, ensuring there's enough excess cloth hanging over the sides.
- Carefully pour the curdled mixture into the strainer. The whey will pass through the cheesecloth into the bowl, while the curds will be retained in the cheesecloth.
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Draining and Salting:
- Gather the corners of the cheesecloth, creating a pouch containing the curds. Suspend the pouch over the mixing bowl to allow for further whey drainage. You can use a spoon or a rubber band to hang the pouch.
- Let it drain for 4-6 hours, or until the Laban Cheese reaches your desired consistency. The longer you drain, the thicker the cheese will become.
- Once the cheese has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the cheesecloth pouch and place it in a clean bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, or adjust to taste, and mix it into the Laban Cheese.
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Refrigerate and Serve:
- Transfer your Laban Cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be stored for about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Serve your Laban Cheese as a delicious and tangy spread or dip, with bread, vegetables, or crackers
Enjoy your homemade Laban Cheese made with milk kefir!