Iab 
(Ethiopian fresh cheese)

Written by on in Recipe
Iab Ethiopian cheese on a piece of injera bread
Image by Stuart Spivack

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. This recipe uses cottage cheese to make a reasonable approximation of the real deal.

Iab

Iab

Course: Dairy and CheeseCuisine: Ethiopia
Makes

2

cups

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.

Ingredients

  • Cottage cheese, small curd — 2 cups

  • Plain yogurt — 1/2 cup

  • Lemon juice — 2 tablespoons

  • Salt and pepper — to taste

Directions

  • 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.

Iab Notes and 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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