I went for a visit to my sister's a couple weeks ago. (I have a new nephew, btw). It was right after I started reading about kefir here at LCE. I was doing a little research on what it is, what it does, etc. and a bit hesitant about making my own because of the alcohol, but considering buying commercial products.

My sister's husband is from Jordan, so it's always interesting to see what new and different foods I can try. I have been hearing for years about this cheese they all love called "LEBNI". We had some w/breakfast one day and then with dinner one night...yummy. I especially loved it with the scrambled eggs. I do eat a limited amt of whole grain stuff too so a little whole wheat pita just dipped in the lebni sprinkled with w/olive oil and an arabic spice mixture called zahter. (That would probably be good w/fresh veggies instead of the pita...i just haven't tried yet) It just kept getting better!

Then one night, I was putting the Lebni away after dinner and right under the word Lebni...it said KEFIR CHEESE. This may be no revelation to the rest of you, but I was surprised. If you've been looking for it and can't find it...go to a local middle eastern store. They probably all have it. I bought some the day after I got home. BTW, the zahter can be purchased there too. My understanding is that it is mostly made of thyme and sesame seeds.

Dawn

Yup. In Lebanese, it's called lubbneh and pronounced pretty much as you've described.

I was originally taught to make it from yogurt, but it's also easy to make from kefir. Just dump either product into a collander lined with several layers of cheesecloth or a clean (lintless) tea towel and let most of the whey drain off. Very easy and delicious.

It's traditional with a little olive oil drizzeled over it and a sprinkle of zaatar, which is a mixture of thyme, roasted sesame seeds, and sim'meh. Sim'meh is nothing more exotic than sumac (the red kind, not the white kind that gives you a rash - LOL!) - which grows here in abundance, so I always dry and save some when it's in season.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Couch Fauxtato for Life, Redhead until further notice! ~~