Shanglesh

Discover the art of Middle Eastern cheese-making with Shanklish, a traditional and flavorful delicacy crafted from strained Greek yogurt. This easy-to-make recipe transforms creamy labneh into tangy, herb-coated cheese balls, rolled in a zesty blend of za’atar and optional Aleppo pepper for a tantalizing burst of flavor. Perfectly versatile, Shanklish can be served fresh or aged for a deeper, more complex taste. Pair it with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh vegetables, and warm bread for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. Whether you’re exploring Lebanese cuisine or simply looking to elevate your cheese board, Shanklish is a true culinary gem!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1000 g Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
• 10 g Salt
• 20 g Za'atar (or dried thyme)
• 5 g Aleppo pepper (or crushed red chili flakes; optional)
• 15 ml Olive oil (for serving; optional)
• 200 g Fresh vegetables (e.g., tomato slices, onion, cucumber; optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Place the Greek yogurt in a large bowl and stir in the salt until fully dissolved.

Step 2

Line a fine mesh strainer with a clean cheesecloth or muslin. Pour the salted yogurt into the cloth.

Step 3

Gather the corners of the cloth and tie them together, creating a pouch. Suspend the pouch over a bowl (using a wooden spoon or tying it to a faucet), allowing the whey to drain completely. Leave it to strain for 24-48 hours in a cool area or inside the refrigerator.

Step 4

After the yogurt has drained and thickened into labneh (yogurt cheese), transfer it to a clean bowl.

Step 5

Using clean hands, form the labneh into small balls (about the size of a golf ball). Place them on a dry plate or tray.

Step 6

Generously roll each ball in za'atar and, optionally, Aleppo pepper to fully coat the exterior.

Step 7

At this stage, you can serve the Shanklish balls fresh, or you can traditionally age them by leaving them in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks to develop their characteristic tang and firmer texture (optional).

Step 8

Serve the Shanklish with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh vegetables, and bread for dipping or spreading.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1250.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	904.4

Total Fat 50.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 4302.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.9g	0%
Total Sugars 33.0g
Protein 64.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1161.3mg	0%
Iron 26.9mg	0%
Potassium 1712.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.8%

Protein: 28.3%

Carbs: 21.9%