Iab

(Ethiopian fresh cheese)

Iab (sometimes spelled aiyb or ayib) is a fresh cheese similar to cottage cheese. It's cooling flavor is the perfect foil for many spicy Ethiopian dishes. Iab is often served as the finish to an Ethiopian meal.

Image by Stuart Spivack

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

Cottage cheese, small curd -- 2 cups
Plain yogurt -- 1/2 cup
Lemon juice -- 2 tablespoons
Salt and pepper -- to taste

Method

Place the cottage cheese, yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper into a large bowl and use a wooden spoon to stir together and lightly mash the cheese curds.
Adjust seasoning and serve as a side dish or as the final course to an Ethiopian meal.

Variations

Iab be Gomen (Fresh cheese with greens): Stir in 2 cups of chopped and sauteed collard greens.
For added flavor, you can stir in chopped parsley, spinach or fenugreek leaves. Fresh lemon zest can also be added.

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fabulous recipe!

Submitted by .lynne (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 09:54.

I cut the recipe in half to make lunch for two -- added home-made gomen -- it's absolutely delicious! i'll be bringing it to a pot-luck meal this weekend.