Chakka (Tajik Strained Yogurt with Garlic and Herbs)
Local name: Чакка
In short: Thick strained yogurt, salted and mixed with garlic and fresh dill. A tangy spread for bread, and a topping for soups and noodle dishes. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 10 h
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 90 kcal
Chakka is strained yogurt, left to drip overnight until it becomes thick and tangy like soft cheese. Tajik families eat it for breakfast with bread and tea, or spoon it over soups and noodles to add richness and acidity. Shaped into balls and dried, it becomes qurut, the base of qurutob. This fresh version, with garlic and herbs, takes five minutes of work and a night in the refrigerator.
Instructions
- Line a large sieve with a double layer of muslin or a clean kitchen towel and set it over a deep bowl.
- Spoon in the yogurt, fold the cloth over the top and refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours, until the yogurt is thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon.
- Scrape the strained yogurt into a bowl. Discard the whey, or save it for baking or smoothies.
- Stir in the salt, garlic, dill, cilantro and pepper.
- Spread on a plate and serve with warm flatbread. Refrigerate leftovers.
Tips
- Strain for 12 hours if you want a firmer, spreadable chakka that is close to cream cheese. Strain for 4 to 6 hours for a softer dip.
- Plain chakka without garlic or herbs is the traditional topping for oshi burida, lagman and shakarob.
Questions and answers
How long does chakka keep?
Covered and refrigerated it keeps for up to 5 days. The garlic flavor intensifies as it stands.
Is chakka the same as labneh or Greek yogurt?
Very similar. Chakka is strained longer than Greek yogurt and is nearly as thick as labneh, and in Tajikistan it is often made from sour yogurt.
What can I do with the whey?
Use it in bread dough, soups or smoothies in place of water. It keeps for a week in the refrigerator.
How long does it take to make Chakka (Tajik Strained Yogurt with Garlic and Herbs)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chakka (Tajik Strained Yogurt with Garlic and Herbs)?
About 90 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 90 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 240 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
