March 19, 2024

Hot and Spicy or Spicy and Sweet – You choose!

Posted on June 26, 2013 by in baked goods, cheese, rsg

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hot and spicy

Hot and Spicy or Spicy and Sweet sound like Danielle Steele book titles or movies of ill repute, doesn’t it?  The truth be known these hot and spicy labneh rolls are kind of naughty  and once you start, it is very difficult to show any from or restrain.

Hot and spicy food I like, spicy and sweet desserts I like a lot, what I don’t like is bland food. There is a vast difference between subtle flavors and bland food, a milk tart with a subtle hint of nutmeg and cinnamon… just glorious! Soft nougat with subtle hints or honey has  a little piece of heaven in every bite, but when it is cold and wet, my taste buds want fire…. hot and spicy Spatchcock Chicken or even a huge bowl of breyani will do!

Hot and spicy food releases endorphins. When capsaicin in chili peppers, the element that causes the spicy, burny sensation comes into contact with the tongue, the body is led to believe that it is in pain and releases endorphins. This is why spicy food or the yearning for it can become quite addictive. Relax, it is a healthy addiction as hot and spicy food has many health benefits.

hot and spicy

I like food with attitude, food that wakes your taste buds and yes, food that sometimes give you a kick in the butt. My family however has a slight aversion when it comes to hot and spicy foods, but I have found over the years that a bowl of chopped fresh chilies on the table is the best way to get them to try it. They can add as much or as little as they can handle.

Fairview has recently launched their new Shelley’s Labneh Medium Fat Soft Cheese and I was the lucky one to try a few recipes with this lovely cheese. My first attempt was the Moroccan Carrot Soup with Labneh Dumplings and it was so delicious that yesterday it made it to the Cape Argus’ recipe section!  Fairview Labneh is a soft, white, medium fat Mediterranean style cheese made from strained yogurt. Fairview Labneh is made from 100% Jersey cow’s milk. The cheese comes in 3 delicious flavors Za’atar, Pesto and Garlic and Herb. I could not think of an easier, more delicious recipe than this one. The dumplings are so easy to make, just try it!

I made two versions of the Labneh Cigars, the fist being a Hot and Spicy savory version and the other a Spicy and Sweet Baklava filling.

hot and spicy

Hot and Spicy Labneh Cigars

Makes 12

Ingredients

8 sheets phyllo pastry

125 g butter – melted

125 g Fairview Labneh with Zahatar

15 ml harissa paste

4 spring onions – chopped

125 ml black pitted olives

1 red chili – finely chopped

1 egg white

Vegetable oil for frying

Method

Divide the phyllo in two heaps of 4 sheets. Butter each layer as you stack them on each other. You will now have two stacks of 4 sheets in front of you. Cut each stack down the middle and then each half in 3 rectangles. You should have 12 rectangles in front of you. Mix the labneh with the harissa paste. Place a teaspoon of the Fairview Labneh on the short end of each rectangle. Top with a little chopped spring onion, a little chopped chili and a pitted olive  or two. Roll the phyllo rectangles into cigars and brush the end of the phyllo with egg white to make sure the cigar does not open during baking process.  Repeat with all the phyllo rectangles.  At this point you can keep the cigars in the fridge until needed . Heat the oil  and when the oil is hot, fry the cigars until golden brown. Serve with a relish or chutney of your choice.

spicy and sweet

Spicy and Sweet Labneh Cigars

makes 12

Ingredients

100 g walnuts – finely chopped

100 g Fairview Labneh with Zahatar

30 ml honey

3 ml cinnamon

vegetable oil for frying

Method

In a small mixing bowl, mix the walnuts the labneh, honey and cinnamon.  Divide the phyllo in two heaps of 4 sheets. Butter each layer as you stack them on each other. You will now have two stacks of 4 sheets in front of you. Cut each stack down the middle and then each half in 3 rectangles. You should have 12 rectangles in front of you. Place a teaspoon of the Fairview Labneh on the short end of each rectangle.  Roll the phyllo rectangles into cigars and brush the end of the phyllo with egg white to make sure the cigar does not open during baking process.  Repeat with all the phyllo rectangles.  At this point you can keep the cigars in the fridge until needed . Heat the oil  and when the oil is hot, fry the cigars until golden brown. Dust with cinnamon and serve!

spicy and sweet

For more Fairview Inspired Recipes, please click on the logo below!

Fairview logo 2 small Moroccan Carrot Soup with Labneh Dumplings

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4 Responses to “Hot and Spicy or Spicy and Sweet – You choose!”

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