(Photo credit: Meetali Parekh)
Paneer is a white coloured, vegetarian cheese, traditionally made from buffalo or cow’s milk and best made fresh at home. It is primarily associated with Northern India though it is widely eaten across the country. It is easy to make and has a relatively crumbly texture not unlike the Greek cheese, Feta. Paneer is unsalted and plain in taste and can be added to a variety of dishes to give them a thicker sauce base, or it can feature as the main ingredient of the dish.
It is extremely versatile and not only is it popular in India, but it has become popular across the world, especially in countries with a significant Indian diaspora such as the UK, Canada, and the USA. Paneer is a staple ingredient in many Indian restaurants’ dishes.
How to Make Paneer
Paneer is essentially made by boiling (either cow’s, or more traditionally, buffalo’s) full-fat milk and separating the curds from the whey using lemon, vinegar, or yogurt. The curds are left to bind in a muslin cloth while the liquid (the whey) is squeezed out of the curds to make it a tighter cheese. Click here for the recipe to make fresh, homemade paneer.
Popular Recipes That Use Paneer
Apart from the actual art of making soft, creamy, and delicious paneer, there are a variety of very popular paneer dishes that are extremely tasty and nutritious. The list includes Palak Paneer (also known as Saag Paneer), which is a spinach and paneer curry; Matar Paneer, which is curried peas with paneer; Chilli Paneer, a pan-fried paneer with a whole variety of spices accompanied by stir-fried onions, bell peppers, and spring onions (or scallions); Paneer Tikka, a spicy paneer curry; Shahi Paneer, one of many coveted dishes of the kings of old (from the days of the Mughal Empire in India); and Paneer 65, a supremely spicy, South Indian style, fried paneer snack. All of these dishes are absolutely divine!
Click on the following links for appetising paneer recipes:
Where Can You Buy Paneer?
Paneer can be bought ready-made in packets at many supermarket chains in the UK. I’ve spotted it in Tesco and Morrisons as well as in Indian grocery stores but I am certain that it is available in any major supermarket. As personal recommendation would have it, it is best to make your own fresh paneer. In my experience, the shop-bought variety is hard, rubbery, and tasteless. If you follow a good recipe correctly, it will be fresh, soft, easy to crumble, free of any artificial preservatives and additives, spongy, and naturally white in colour.
Can You Eat Paneer Raw?
You can eat it raw in salads but it tastes much better cooked, in my opinion. There also are substitutes for paneer such as ricotta cheese. However, it really doesn’t fare as well in hot dishes, such as traditional Indian curries. I believe it’s better to stick to paneer. Firm tofu may be an option but it will completely change the taste of these curry dishes.
Is Paneer Good for Your Health?
Paneer has many health benefits, as it is a protein-dense food. And literally every single cell in your body needs protein to function properly. There are many articles highlighting these benefits, which are available through further research. One recommendation is https://thenutritionhunt.com/tnh/paneer-nutrition-health-benefits.html
Have you tried paneer before? Or, have you made your own fresh paneer before? If so, what is your favourite paneer dish? Try some of the recipes above and let us know in the comments below which one is your favourite. Be sure to sign up for our mailing list for more essential advice in the kitchen.
Happy cooking!