🌿 Labneh Cheese Balls & Herbed Falafel

Turning Memories Into Tangible Delights: Labneh Cheese Balls & Herbed Falafel

At Home & Fashion, we cherish creating culinary experiences that not only delight the palate but also evoke cherished memories and emotions. Today, we spotlight two vibrant dishes—Labneh Cheese Balls and Herbed Falafel—perfect for elevating any event.

 

🌿 Labneh Cheese Balls

Homemade labneh, a creamy Middle Eastern cheese, offers an ideal canvas for countless flavor combinations. Simple to prepare yet endlessly customizable, labneh cheese balls are perfect for mezze platters or elegant appetizers.

Ingredients for Homemade Labneh:

  • Greek yogurt (strained overnight to form labneh)

Assorted Coatings:

Seeds:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Cumin seeds
  • Poppy seeds

Herbs:

  • Dried mint
  • Dried cilantro
  • Dried parsley
  • Dried thyme
  • Dried dill
  • Za’atar

Spices:

  • Red pepper flakes
  • Aleppo pepper
  • Sumac
  • Ground cumin
  • Black pepper
  • Anise

Floral:

  • Lavender
  • Rose petals

Instructions:

  1. Roll each labneh ball in your preferred coating. For better adherence, lightly coat your hands with olive oil before rolling the cheese balls.
  2. Serve with fresh pita bread as part of a mezze platter, or atop a vibrant salad.
  3. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Best used within 24 hours, though plain labneh keeps for up to one week.

Additional Notes:

  • Prepare them ahead: Coated balls keep nicely in the fridge for a day when placed in a single layer.
  • Form the cheese into a large ball or log shape and cover with pomegranate seeds or your choice of coating for an elegant presentation.
  • Experiment by combining different coatings like red pepper and dill or sesame and sumac.
  • Fresh herbs (dill, cilantro, parsley, chives) finely chopped add vibrant flavor. Serve these immediately.
  • Substitute labneh with goat cheese or cream cheese, if desired.


🌿 Herbed Falafel with Tahini Labneh & Pomegranate Jewels

Crispy, aromatic, and utterly delightful, our Herbed Falafel is vegan, gluten-free, and ideal for catering events with diverse dietary needs.

Ingredients:

Falafel:

  • 1½ cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight, then drained)
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup fresh parsley leaves
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • ÂĽ cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2–3 tbsp chickpea flour (for binding)

Tahini Labneh:

  • 1 cup labneh (or Greek yogurt)
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Salt, to taste

Garnishes:

  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Fresh cucumber salad
  • Pickled red onions
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions:

1. Prepare Falafel Mixture:

  • In a food processor, blend chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs, spices, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until coarse and cohesive.
  • Mix in baking powder and chickpea flour until the mixture binds well. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

2. Shape and Cook:

  • Form into small balls or patties.
  • Bake: At 375°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Air Fry: At 350°F for 15–18 minutes, shaking halfway.
  • Fry: Deep fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes per side until golden.

3. Prepare Tahini Labneh:

  • Whisk labneh, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until creamy.

4. Assemble and Serve:

  • Spread tahini labneh on a platter, arrange falafel, and garnish beautifully with pomegranate seeds, cucumber salad, pickled onions, mint, and lemon wedges.

Both these dishes—Labneh Cheese Balls and Herbed Falafel—represent not only exquisite flavors but also an opportunity to create tangible experiences from your cherished memories and culinary dreams. At Home & Fashion, every dish tells a story, and every event is a canvas for beautiful, edible memories.

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