Cherry Tomato Labneh Dip
Published Aug. 2, 2024
- Total Time
- 40 minutes
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 35 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 12ounces cherry tomatoes
- 8garlic cloves, peeled
- 2sprigs fresh thyme
- 2sprigs fresh oregano
- 1½teaspoons kosher salt
- 1cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 8ounces labneh
- 1teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Flaky salt
- Pita, crusty bread or crudités, for serving
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
598 calories; 58 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 40 grams monounsaturated fat; 6 grams polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 513 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Heat your oven to 325 degrees. Combine the cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, oregano sprigs, salt and olive oil in a small, oven-safe lidded pot. Place the pot over medium heat and cook until the oil bubbles, about 1 minute. When it does, turn off the heat, cover tightly with a lid and transfer to the oven.
- Step 2
Let the mixture cook for 30 minutes. The tomatoes should be mostly whole and on the brink of bursting, and the garlic should smush when pressed. Remove and discard the thyme and oregano sprigs.
- Step 3
Put the labneh in the middle of a serving bowl. Using the back of a spoon, spread the labneh to fill the bowl evenly, then create a divot in the middle. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes and garlic in the center of the divot and season with red pepper and flaky salt. Drizzle some of the fragrant oil on top, then reserve (and refrigerate) any remaining oil to dress salads, pasta, beans, vegetables or save for another use. (Strained and refrigerated in a covered container, the seasoned olive oil will keep for one week.)
Private Notes
Comments
Labneh is just strained Greek yogurt. Simply line a strainer with cheesecloth and set over a bowl. Add your yogurt to the strainer, cover lightly (to keep the fridge smells out of your cheese) and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. The result is a soft silky cheese that is reminiscent of a fresh cream cheese. It is delicious on it's own with a fresh pita but is also a beautiful canvass for any flavors you like. It is almost zero effort to make so it's definitely worth a try.
I’ve used greek yogurt and feta cheese blended with a bit of water instead of labneh. Yummy!
Mina - you ask how to use the leftover oil, outside of salads. For sure this can be used as part of a vinaigrette for green salads. But it can also be used with pasta. And it is great with roasted veg, like fingerling potatoes or green beans to dress them. And also a really good partner to use with white bean salads. I used it with a bean salad that started with Rancho Gordo flageolet beans. It also could be used for a dipping oil for bread.
I always make my own Labneh by salting and straining greek yogurt. Once strained to the consistency I like, I season it with lemon zest, black pepper, a touch of a chili powder and depending on what I am using it for a generous pinch of za'atar and or garlic paste.
we used a trader Joe's strained Greek yogurt with salt and it worked just fine. What a hit, Ham is a genius.
This was excellent along with nyt pita recipe and some arugula on the side dressed with the tomato oil.