Blog Beyond the Bowl: Creative Ways to Use Sour Cream at Home
14 May, 2024

Beyond the Bowl: Creative Ways to Use Sour Cream at Home

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Sour cream is a tangy and thick dairy product that can do wonders in the kitchen. It goes well with a number of dishes – whether as a topping or as a basic ingredient. Made by adding lactic acid bacteria to cream, sour cream is great for thickening or adding flavor to any dish. 



With its creamy texture and slightly tart flavor, sour cream is the missing ingredient your recipes have been searching for. Here are a few ways you can get creative with sour cream in the kitchen:



How to use sour cream in the kitchen?



1. Make a delicious dip



Mix sour cream with a bit of garlic, onion powder, and your favorite blend of herbs, and indulge in a dip like no other. Have it alongside crunchy chips, crackers, or vegetables. 



2. Add creaminess to soups



If you're looking for a way to add a creamy consistency to your soups without using cream, try stirring in a spoonful of sour cream. It’ll take your recipe to a whole new level, trust us. 



3. Create a creamy salad dressing



Create a flavorful and creamy salad dressing by combining sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. The sour cream gives the dressing a thick and creamy texture.



4. Make a creamy sauce



You can create a delicious sauce by combining sour cream, diced tomatoes, garlic, and your favorite herbs and spices. This creamy mix is perfect for topping pasta and tacos, adding a zesty touch to any meal.



5. Top baked potatoes



Adding sour cream to a baked potato is a delicious way to enhance its flavor. Put a spoonful of sour cream on top of your potato, and then top it with your favorite herbs or spices for some extra flavor. 



6. Add fluffiness to pancakes



Adding some sour cream to your pancake batter can create a delicate and airy texture, taking your pancake game to the next level. 



Other ways you can use sour cream 



1. Facial mask



Using a dollop of sour cream as a mask can help hydrate and nurture your complexion. The lactic acid in the sour cream helps exfoliate and soften the skin, while the fats and proteins help nourish and replenish it.



2. Hair treatment



Combine equal parts of sour cream and coconut oil in a bowl before applying the mixture to freshly washed hair for an all-natural conditioning treatment that will leave your hair looking shiny and healthy!



3. Body scrub



Mix a combination of sour cream and sugar to create a paste. Gently rub the paste onto the skin and massage in circular motions. Rinse off the scrub with warm water. The sugar will help exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, while the sour cream will help nourish and soften the skin.



A sour & creamy ending 



These are just a few creative ways to use sour cream at home. Its versatility make it a favorite among kitchen enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a savory dish or a luxurious beauty treatment, sour cream can be a great addition to your routine. So, the next time you're looking to try something new, think of sour cream! And make sure to choose the right brand because it makes all the difference. 



Baladna is a trusted dairy and beverage company in Qatar. Our products are fresh, authentic, and of excellent quality. Order sour cream, and other dairy products, from Baladna today and enjoy them right away!


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27 January, 2023

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If you’re a fan of Mediterranean food, then you’ve certainly come across halloumi cheese before. Halloumi is a classic Cypriot cheese made from goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, or a combination of the two. Sometimes, cow's milk is utilized. Because it holds its shape when cooked, it is most loved in its grilled form. This type of cheese deserves some appreciation, so we’ve gathered all there is to know about halloumi cheese below. Ready to get your dose of halloumi knowledge? What is Halloumi? Halloumi is a white, layered cheese similar to mozzarella. Traditionally made on the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus from goat and sheep's milk, halloumi cheese has grown in popularity across different parts of the world. As a semi-hard, unripened cheese that has been brined, halloumi cheese is known for its mild spongy texture and salty flavor. Cow's milk is sometimes used to make halloumi. Either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk is available as well. Although halloumi can be consumed raw, its high melting point makes it a perfect cheese for grilling or frying. When grilled or pan-fried, it melts on the inside and crunches on the outside, comparable to the texture of a marshmallow when roasted.Halloumi is gaining popularity. It is fairly priced and available in most stocked supermarkets and specialty shops. Baladna’s halloumi cheese is available in many grocery stores. Alternatively, you can purchase it directly from Baladna’s website.How is Halloumi Made? Halloumi is made when rennet or vegetarian rennet is added to hot milk to get it to thicken. The whey is then removed from the curds once they have formed. The curds are then chopped, firmed up, and pressed into molds. Halloumi's resistance to melting is provided by the additional heating step of poaching the cheese in water or whey. The cheese is then salted and can be consumed immediately after that for three to five days. If not, it can be aged for many months and preserved in brine, which gives the cheese its salty flavor. Like feta cheese, halloumi is marketed in compact bricks that are vacuum-packed in plastic and have a solid texture. Baladna’s farmers produce many kinds of cheeses that resemble halloumi. These cheeses are typically referred to as grillable or halloumi-style cheeses for legal proprietary reasons. They are also known as frying cheese, grilled cheese, or queso de freír in Spanish.It may be challenging to substitute halloumi due to its distinctive texture. Some recipes may call for tofu or Indian paneer, but they won't taste quite the same as halloumi. Hard, dry feta cheese is somewhat comparable when eaten uncooked.Uses Consider grilling, frying, or slicing Halloumi. Use it in salads or a Caprese salad in place of mozzarella. As a gluten-free alternative, use grilled halloumi slices instead of bread in sandwiches. You may also serve it with watermelon, as they do in Cyprus. Although halloumi can be consumed raw, many people prefer its taste when warmed, grilled, or heated. Once the cheese is cooked, the saltiness disappears and is replaced by a powerful, savory bite and a slightly creamy mouthfeel. StorageKeep your halloumi in the fridge for up to a year, unopened. Refrigerate in salted water for up to two weeks after opening, then tightly wrap in waxed paper, parchment paper, or cheese wrap. If you wrap your halloumi in plastic or foil, you may keep it in the freezer for up to three months.Halloumi for the win .. and grillHalloumi is a type of cheese that has been around for a long time and its popularity is only growing. It is a popular ingredient in many dishes, as it holds its shape when heated, making it ideal for grilling or frying. With a 2.6 million square meter footprint, Baladna is one of the largest cattle farms in the region and offers authentic, fresh, and high-quality dairy products. Baladna is 100% Qatari. Up to 24,000 cows can be housed on our farm in a cozy and well-kept environment, enabling them to produce as much as they can comfortably. Get your favorite Baladna cheese today! 

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26 June, 2025

Majdoula Cheese: Perfect for Grilled Cheese

Majdoula cheese is a traditional Middle Eastern cheese with a distinctively braided shape, often compared to mozzarella for its semi-soft texture, yet it boasts a flavor profile that’s far more nuanced. Its name, “Majdoula,” comes from the Arabic word meaning "braided" or "twisted," referring to the way this cheese is shaped during production. Commonly enjoyed across Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, this cheese is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. What Makes Majdoula Cheese Special?Majdoula cheese is typically made from sheep, cow, or goat milk, or a combination of these. The cheese has a slightly salty flavor, which develops through the process of being brined. Like many cheeses in the Middle East, Majdoula is soaked in salt water to preserve it and enhance its taste. The brining process also helps create its firm yet elastic texture, making it an ideal candidate for grilling.This cheese is often served fresh, with olive oil and herbs, but its true magic shines when heated. When grilled, Majdoula develops a crispy, golden crust while maintaining a creamy, gooey interior. This dual texture makes it ideal for creating an unforgettable grilled cheese sandwich.Why Majdoula Cheese is Perfect for Grilled CheeseGrilled cheese is about balancing flavors and textures, and Majdoula’s salty, rich taste makes it an excellent match for the job. The cheese’s stringy nature, thanks to its braided structure, melts evenly when heated, creating that stretchy pull that everyone loves in a grilled cheese sandwich.Here are a few reasons why Majdoula excels in a grilled cheese:Melting Point: While some cheeses may melt too quickly or not enough, Majdoula has a perfect melting point. It melts slowly, allowing it to retain some structure while still becoming soft and creamy inside.Texture: Its slightly firmer, fibrous texture before grilling contrasts beautifully with the soft, gooey consistency it takes on once melted.Flavor: The briny and slightly tangy taste of Majdoula adds a rich layer of flavor to a grilled cheese that can elevate it beyond the usual cheddar or mozzarella.How to Make a Majdoula Grilled CheeseMaking a grilled cheese with Majdoula is simple and rewarding. Here's a step-by-step guide to bring out the best of this cheese in your sandwich:1. Choose your bread: Go for a rustic bread like sourdough or a good country loaf. The crunchier the crust, the better it will complement the creamy texture of the cheese.2. Prepare the cheese: If your Majdoula cheese is fresh from the brine, give it a light rinse to remove excess salt. Slice or pull apart the braids to your desired thickness.3. Add your favorite toppings: You can pair Majdoula with roasted vegetables like tomatoes or zucchini, or add some fresh herbs like thyme or oregano. If you prefer a more decadent option, drizzle some olive oil or even honey for a sweet-savory contrast.4. Grill to perfection: Heat a pan with butter or olive oil on medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and let it cook slowly. Grill each side for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.And don’t forget to serve and enjoy! If you love experimenting with cheeses or are just seeking a break from the usual grilled cheese, try Baladna Majdoula for your next meal. It’s a traditional cheese that adds both depth of flavor and a bit of culinary adventure to your plate.

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