Welcome to my flavor-packed culinary escapade! If you’ve ever daydreamed about the best fusion of qalayet bandoora and creamy labneh, you’re in for a treat. I’m thrilled to present to you my Labneh with Confit Tomatoes and Garlic recipe, an extraordinary brunch masterpiece that will dazzle your taste buds.
Picture plump cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic cloves bathed in rich olive oil, drizzled with tantalizing pomegranate molasses, and spiced up with the fiery embrace of shatta. Seasoned with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and zesty sumac; it’s a symphony of flavors.
Finish with a flourish of chopped mint and crunchy pine nuts for a culinary journey you won’t soon forget.
Dip into Deliciousness
Labneh with Confit Tomatoes and Garlic Ingredients
Cherry Tomatoes
Labneh
Garlic Cloves
Olive oil
Pomegranate molasses
Shatta
Salt
Black pepper
Sumac
Chopped mint
Pine nuts
Scroll for the entire detailed recipe ingredients and instructions.
Why You’ll Admire This Recipe
The characteristics of this labneh recipe with confit tomatoes and garlic are so compelling that you’ll find yourself making it repeatedly:
Flavor Explosion: It’s a burst of flavors, from creamy labneh to the zesty punch of spicy tomatoes.
Middle Eastern Magic: Experience the rich, authentic taste of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Quick and Easy: Whip it up in no time for a satisfying meal.
Versatile: Perfect for brunch, appetizers, or a delightful snack.
Healthy Choice: Packed with nutrients and beneficial probiotics from labneh.
Visual Appeal: A vibrant dish that’s as stunning as it is tasty.
Balanced Spiciness: Adjust the heat to your liking with shatta.
Unique Ingredients: Explore the exotic flavors of sumac and pomegranate molasses.
Texture Play: Creamy labneh meets crunchy pine nuts for a delightful contrast.
Impress Guests: Wow your friends and family with this gourmet-worthy dish.
Labneh Love Story
What Is Labneh?
Labneh, also spelled labaneh or labnah, is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dairy product made from strained yogurt. To make labneh, yogurt is typically strained through a cheesecloth or muslin for a period of time, often overnight, to remove most of the whey.
This straining process results in a thick and creamy consistency similar to cream cheese or Greek yogurt but with a tangy flavor.
Labneh is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. It’s commonly served as a spread on bread or pita, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with herbs or spices.
It can also be used in savory or sweet dishes, in dips, or as a component in salads and appetizers. Due to its probiotic content, labneh is not only delicious but also considered a nutritious choice in many diets.
Variations and Substitutions
If you can’t find labneh, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or strained regular yogurt for a similar creamy texture.
Experiment with different types of tomatoes, such as heirloom or grape tomatoes, for varying flavors and colors.
Adjust the amount of shatta to suit your spice preference. If you prefer it milder, use less, or if you want it spicier, add more.
You can use other fresh herbs like basil or cilantro instead of mint for a different herbaceous twist.
Swap out pine nuts for almonds, walnuts, or pistachios for a unique nutty crunch.
Make this dish vegan by using dairy-free yogurt or cashew-based labneh.
Ensure all your ingredients, including pomegranate molasses, are gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
Turn it into a sweet dish by omitting the savory spices, adding a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and topping with fresh berries or dried fruits.
Roastin’ and Toastin
Labneh with Confit Tomatoes and Garlic Serving Ideas
Serve the labneh and tomato mixture with warm flatbreads or pita for a traditional Middle Eastern experience.
Use it as a topping or side dish for a fresh Mediterranean salad, adding cucumbers, olives, and greens.
Include it as part of a mezze platter with other Middle Eastern appetizers like hummus, Baba Ghanoush, and falafel.
Use it as a creamy spread in sandwiches or wraps with grilled chicken or vegetables.
Create a brunch platter with this dish, fresh fruits, a variety of cheeses, and some crusty bread.
Serve it alongside grilled meats like lamb, chicken, or beef for a satisfying main course.
Build a grain or grain-free bowl with labneh, tomatoes, and your choice of grains (quinoa, couscous, or rice) and roasted vegetables.
Use it as a dip for raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks at parties and gatherings.
Stuff it into a wrap or gyro with your favorite proteins and veggies.
Include it as one of the dishes in a tapas-style meal, alongside other small plates and appetizers.
Labneh All the Way!
Tips and Tricks
Use fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially for the labneh and cherry tomatoes, as they will significantly impact the final taste.
If your labneh is too runny, strain it through a cheesecloth in a fine-mesh sieve for a thicker consistency.
Roast the garlic cloves until soft and slightly caramelized, as this will mellow their flavor and add sweetness to the dish.
If you can’t find pomegranate molasses, you can make a substitute by reducing pomegranate juice with a bit of sugar and lemon juice.
Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they’re golden brown, but be careful not to burn them. This method enhances their flavor.
Use fresh mint just before serving for the best flavor and aroma.
Allow the dish to come to room temperature before serving to enhance the flavors.
To save time, you can prepare the roasted tomatoes and garlic in advance and assemble the dish just before serving.
Storage Tips
To store this Labneh with Confit Tomatoes and Garlic, place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. It should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days.
Freezing this recipe may not be ideal because the texture and flavor of certain ingredients, especially the labneh and tomatoes, can change when thawed. Labneh, in particular, can become grainy and lose its creamy consistency upon freezing and thawing. Additionally, tomatoes tend to become mushy and watery when frozen.
Roasted to Perfection
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These confit cloves have many uses, enhancing the flavor of soups, sauces, pasta dishes, vinaigrettes, sandwiches, or marinades. You can also elevate a simple slice of crusty bread by spreading them on top, creating the most delightful garlic spread you’ll ever savor.
Absolutely! This dish is versatile and can be enjoyed as part of a Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast, brunch, or even as a side or appetizer for lunch or dinner.
If your oil reaches excessive heat, it may cause the garlic cloves to fry, potentially leading to a bitter flavor. Aim for an oil temperature within the range of 200-210℉.
Creamy Goodness!
Must-Try Recipes:
- Roasted Tomato Bisque
- Authentic Muhammara Recipe
- Garlic Sauce – Middle Eastern Toum
- Authentic Labneh Balls
- Viral Smashed Burger Tacos (Middle Eastern Style)
- Middle Eastern Kufta Bil Tahiniye
- Middle Eastern Spiced Baked Chicken
- Middle Eastern Inspired Baked Salmon
- Middle Eastern Kufta Bil Tahiniye
- Middle Eastern Kidney Bean Beef Stew
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Labneh with Confit Tomatoes and Garlic
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup labneh
- 5 large garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- 2 tablespoons shatta or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint
- Toasted pine nuts for topping
Instructions
- Add the tomatoes to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, sumac, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses, followed by the shatta (spicy Middle Eastern sambal olek.)
- Add the garlic and mix everything together well.
- Bake at 425℉ uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
- In a serving platter, spread the labneh evenly.
- Top it with the baked cherry tomatoes and garlic.
- Drizzle it with the tomato liquid, and for that perfect finishing touch, add some toasted pine nuts, chopped fresh mint, and a sprinkle of sumac.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially for the labneh and cherry tomatoes, as they will significantly impact the final taste.
- If your labneh is too runny, strain it through a cheesecloth or paper towel in a fine-mesh sieve for a thicker consistency.
- Roast the garlic cloves until they are soft and slightly caramelized, as this will mellow their flavor and add sweetness to the dish.
- If you can’t find pomegranate molasses, you can make a substitute by reducing pomegranate juice with a bit of sugar and lemon juice.
Taste combination was superb but there was a great deal of liquid. Any ideas why?
Hello! Tomatoes have alot of water in them, and combined with the oil + whey in the labneh makes for more sauce 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!