Lben with Strawberries and Honey

Rinse the fresh strawberries under cold running water and gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Remove the green hulls and stems by using a small paring knife or a strawberry huller. Cut any very large strawberries in half to ensure they blend smoothly. If your strawberries are very ripe and sweet, you may wish to reduce the honey slightly. Set the prepared strawberries aside in a bowl.

Place the prepared strawberries into the blender jar first, followed by the lben, honey, rose water, fresh mint leaves, and the pinch of ground cinnamon. Adding the strawberries at the bottom ensures they will be drawn toward the blades first and will blend more evenly. Finally, add the ice cubes on top.

Secure the blender lid firmly and blend on high speed for 45 to 60 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and uniform in color. Stop the blender halfway through and use a spatula to scrape down the sides if needed, then continue blending. The final consistency should be thick, pourable, and free of any visible strawberry chunks.

Remove the blender lid and taste the mixture carefully. Adjust the sweetness by adding a little more honey if needed, or balance tartness with a small squeeze of lemon if the strawberries are very ripe. Add an extra splash of rose water if you desire a more pronounced floral note. Blend briefly again for another 10 seconds after any additions.

Pour the finished lben strawberry drink into tall chilled glasses. Garnish each glass with a fresh sprig of mint, a whole strawberry balanced on the rim of the glass, and a light dusting of ground cinnamon on top of the foam. Serve immediately while cold for the best flavor and texture. For an extra special presentation, drizzle a small thread of honey over the top of each glass.

Instead of: Lben

Use: Plain unsweetened drinking yogurt thinned with a little water, or kefir, which has a similar tangy fermented profile

Instead of: Fresh strawberries

Use: Frozen thawed strawberries work well outside of strawberry season, or you can use fresh raspberries or peaches for a different but equally delicious variation

Instead of: Moroccan honey

Use: Any high-quality raw honey such as wildflower or thyme honey, or substitute with a small amount of date syrup for a deeper, more molasses-like sweetness

Instead of: Rose water

Use: Orange blossom water, which is another classic Moroccan flavoring and pairs equally well with strawberries and honey

Instead of: Fresh mint

Use: Fresh basil leaves offer a different but surprisingly complementary herbal note, or simply omit the herb entirely for a more straightforward fruit and lben flavor