Yogurt Balls

Line a strainer with cheesecloth, place it over a bowl and add the yogurt. Put in the refrigerator for two days to drain completely. Place the thyme, rosemary, fennel seeds and salt in a bowl and combine. Add the yogurt and stir thoroughly to combine. Return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes. In the meantime, combine the olive oil, the chili-pepper flakes, the fresh fennel fronds, the bay leaves and the peppercorns in a shallow dish. Shape the yogurt into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Gently roll each one in the shallow dish. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to one hour at room temperature. Refrigerate for up to one day before serving. Yield: Eight servings (32 balls).