Homemade Lebnah & Pita Bread

There is something special about bringing a little of what we are learning into the kitchen. As we worked through our Jesus Trail Artza box, we looked for opportunities to learn beyond the items in the box, including exploring foods connected with the places we were studying.

We made homemade lebnah and pita bread! The lebnah was especially easy with Fage plain Greek yogurt because it is already thick and has wonderful flavor. I strained it in a jelly bag, which worked beautifully, then topped it with the seasoning from our Artza box.

For the pita, I adapted an Israeli-style pita bread recipe I found online. I doubled it, replaced some of the flour with whole wheat flour, used honey in place of sugar, and simplified the process to one rise. We baked the pita on a regular baking tray. Simple and delicious!

Homemade Lebnah

Lebnah (also spelled labneh) is a thick, tangy yogurt spread. Straining yogurt removes whey and gives it a creamy texture that works beautifully with warm pita bread.

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain Fage Greek yogurt (half of a 32-ounce tub)

• ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste

• Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

• Seasoning from your Artza box or za’atar, to taste

Instructions

1. Stir the salt into the Greek yogurt until evenly combined.

2. Spoon the yogurt into a clean jelly bag and suspend it over a bowl so the whey can drain freely.

3. Refrigerate while it strains. Check after several hours; because Fage is already thick, it may need less time than thinner yogurt. Strain longer for a firmer, cream-cheese-like texture.

4. Transfer the thickened lebnah to a shallow serving bowl and spread it with the back of a spoon.

5. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the seasoning from your Artza box.

Serve with warm pita bread. Store covered in the refrigerator and use a clean utensil when serving.

Homemade Whole Wheat Pita Bread

Pita is a delicious and easy bread to make. Great for enjoying plain or as a sandwich pocket, and of course with nearly any dip!

Ingredients

• 5 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups whole wheat flour

• 2 tablespoons instant yeast

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2¾ cups lukewarm water

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and instant yeast.

2. Stir the honey into the lukewarm water. Add the water mixture to the flour and knead for about 2 minutes on medium-low speed, until a rough dough forms.

3. Add the olive oil and salt. Knead for about 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft and workable; add a little water or flour only if needed.

4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is the one rise in this simplified method.

5. Heat the oven to 500°F. Lightly grease a baking tray. If you bake in batches, let the tray reheat between batches.

6. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 14–16 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then roll into a round about ¼ inch thick.

7. Place the rounds on the prepared baking tray with room between them. Bake for about 4–5 minutes, until the pita puffs up. Work in batches as needed.

8. Transfer the baked pita to a clean kitchen towel and cover to keep it soft while you bake the remaining rounds.

Serve warm with lebnah. Once cooled, freeze any extra pita in a freezer bag and rewarm before serving.

Tips for Homemade Pita

• A very hot oven helps the pita puff and form a pocket.

• Whole wheat flour absorbs water differently, so aim for a soft dough rather than adding too much flour.

• Covering the pita with a clean towel after baking helps keep it tender.

• Freeze extras once they have cooled.

A Kitchen Extension for Our Artza Box

One of my favorite parts of learning as a family is finding ways to take our studies off the page and into everyday life. Making lebnah and pita gave us a chance to explore a food connected with the Israel for a homeschool unit study. We love incorporating tastes of the places we study!

Interested is trying a taste of Israel through an Artza box?

Try a taste of Israel through Artza

Use my code LAMPANDLIGHTLIVING at checkout for 20% off. The link doesn't apply the code on its own, so be sure to type it in.

Disclosure: I'm an Artza partner, and I earn a small commission when you order through my link or code. Everything I shared here is our family's honest experience.