LABNE WITH SEASONAL VEGETABLES

This is a great way to bring a bit of freshness and variety to your table or dinner party. Feel free to mix up the vegetables as you may have different vegetables on hand.

Serves 6-8

3 carrots, peeled & cut into batons, great either raw or lightly cooked

12 yams, scrubbed and either roasted or boiled until tender

4 small waxy potatoes, boiled or baked whole until tender, cut into wedges or rounds

2 medium beetroot, roasted in foil, then peeled & cut into wedges

1 broccoli, blanched for 1 minute, refreshed

1 cup cauliflower, cut into florets

FOR THE LABNE

500 g plain unsweetened yogurt

big pinch of salt

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp chopped parsley

2 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped

Method

Firstly make the labne (strained yoghurt) I allow a good day in advance to strain yoghurt.  The idea behind this is to remove any excess moisture and to create a thick creamy paste which holds together. Place the yoghurt in a bowl and add a pinch of salt. Stir to combine and place in the center of clean piece of muslin or a suitable cloth which will allow the liquid to filter through, wrap into a ball and secure tightly with string. This now needs to hang – I used a chopstick, which fitted over a deep bowl or tie it to the shelves in your fridge.

Remove the strained cheese (labne) from the cloth, which will be thick, and put it into a bowl. Discard the whey liquid.  Fold through the fresh herbs and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Set aside in the fridge until required.

To assemble: I use either a large platter or clean wooden board to present this vegetable medley.

Scatter the vegetables over the platter so that some are in clumps, some are scattered and some are placed so that they add bursts of colour (beetroot is great for this) and the flavour adds a wonderful contrast. Spoon the herbed labne directly onto the vegetables so that you can easily access it around the platter, and a last sprinkle of sea salt flakes to finish it off.

Warm pitas add a lovely addition to this delightful platter.