What are the different types of kashk?
Kashk is a fermented dairy product from Iranian, Kurdish and Arab cooking, and it comes in two main forms: liquid or paste, ready to use, and a dried form, often rolled into balls, that must be soaked and softened first. Kashk is not the cheese kashkaval, and it is not labneh.
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In this article
What are the types of kashk?
| Form | What it is | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid or paste kashk | Thick, whitish, sour-cream-like, sold in jars | Spoon over dishes or stir in |
| Dried kashk (balls or powder) | Dried, needs soaking | Soak and soften before cooking |
Some stores also sell it under other spellings such as keshk or qurut. Check the jar to see which form you have.
Is kashk the same as kashkaval or labneh?
No. Kashkaval is a Balkan cheese, and labneh is strained yogurt. Kashk is traditionally made from the leftovers of cheese-making, though home recipes also start from sour yogurt that is salted, simmered, drained and dried into balls.
What does kashk taste like?
Sour, salty and strongly savory. One buyer compared it to a blue cheese sauce. It is a seasoning more than a dairy snack.
How is kashk used?
- Kashk-e bademjan: fried eggplant with onion, garlic and kashk, topped with dried mint.
- Ash reshteh: a noodle and bean soup with a spoonful of kashk on top.
- Halim bademjan and aash-e kashk, related dishes.
How should you store it?
Keep jarred kashk refrigerated after opening and follow the date on the jar. Home-made dried balls were reported to keep up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or can be frozen.
What can replace kashk?
A test-kitchen style soup recipe suggests crème fraîche, or Greek-style yogurt whisked with a squeeze of lemon. The taste will be milder and less funky.
Cooking tips
To be safe, heat it gently and add it at the end rather than boiling it hard. Look for it in Iranian and Middle Eastern markets.
People also ask
What is the difference between liquid and dried kashk?
Liquid kashk is ready to use. Dried kashk must be soaked and softened before cooking.
What is a substitute for kashk?
Crème fraîche, or Greek-style yogurt with lemon juice. The flavor will be milder.
Is kashk the same as kashkaval cheese?
No. Kashkaval is a Balkan cheese; kashk is a fermented dairy seasoning.
Sources
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