Paneer, a beloved dairy product from the Indian subcontinent, is often described as fresh cheese due to its soft, crumbly texture and mild flavor. It is a versatile ingredient that is commonly used in both savory and sweet dishes, making it a staple in many traditional Indian recipes. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to making the best homemade paneer, exploring the essential techniques and tips to ensure perfection. From selecting the right milk to achieving the ideal consistency, you will learn how to craft the perfect paneer for your culinary creations. Whether you are a novice cook or an experienced chef, we will guide you through the process of making this versatile ingredient from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PANEER: HOMEMADE INDIAN CHEESE
Provided by Aarti Sequeira
Time 45m
Yield Makes 12 ounces of cheese
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Line a large colander with a large double layer of cheesecloth, and set it in your sink.
- In a large wide pot, bring the milk to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning the bottom (a nonstick pot works really well for this purpose). This will take a little while so be patient!
- Add the lemon juice and turn the heat down to low. Stirring gently, you should almost immediately see the curds (white milk solids) and whey (the greenish liquid) separate. Don't fret, this is perfect!
- Remove the pot from the heat and carefully pour the contents into the cheesecloth-lined colander. Gently rinse with cool water to get rid of the lemon flavor. At this point, you could squeeze out some of the liquid, and serve with some honey and some nuts, almost like a fresh ricotta!
- Grab the ends of the cheesecloth and twist the ball of cheese to squeeze out the excess whey. Tie the cheesecloth to your kitchen faucet and allow the cheese to drain for about 5 minutes.
- Twisting the ball to compact the cheese into a block, place it on a plate with the twisted part of the cheesecloth on the side (this will ensure your block of cheese is nice and smooth!) and set another plate on top. Weigh the second plate down with cans of beans or a heavy pot. Move to the refrigerator and let it sit about 20 minutes.
- Unwrap your beautiful disc of homemade cheese! You did it! You can now use this in any number of traditional Indian dishes, like saag paneer.
BEST HOMEMADE PANEER
It's easy to make your very own paneer to use in your favorite Indian recipes. For homemade paneer, all you need is milk, lemon juice, salt, and a thermometer!
Provided by ChefJackie
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Indian
Time 2h30m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Line a colander with a damp piece of muslin or cheesecloth and set in the sink or over a bowl.
- Pour milk into a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat to 200 degrees F (93 degrees C). Stir well and add salt. Pour in lemon juice gradually, 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir until curds separate.
- Ladle curds into the muslin-lined colander. Fold muslin over curds and place a weight on top (such as a bowl filled with water). Press lightly and let drain for 2 to 3 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.3 calories, Carbohydrate 11.7 g, Cholesterol 24.4 mg, Fat 7.9 g, Protein 7.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 152.7 mg, Sugar 11.2 g
HOMEMADE PANEER
Provided by Food Network
Time 4h10m
Yield 1 pound
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Pour the milk into a medium pot. Place on medium-high heat and, when it comes to a boil, turn the heat off and add the vinegar. Stir as the milk starts to curdle.
- Line a large sieve with cheesecloth and, holding it over the sink, pour the milk curds into it, letting the whey drain into the sink. Place the sieve over a bowl and fold the ends of the cheesecloth over the cheese. Set weights on top to press out excess liquid and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, until it's solid.
PANEER
Making homemade paneer is suprisingly easy. This fresh cheese will have a softer texture than many shop-bought varieties, and is great in curries and salads
Provided by Roopa Gulati
Time 50m
Yield Makes 250g
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over a low heat, stirring occasionally. This should take about 30 mins.
- Once it begins to bubble and rise up the sides of the pan, add 2 tbsp lemon juice and the salt - the milk will quickly separate. Add another 1 tbsp lemon juice, or enough to turn the milk into curds and liquid whey. Simmer for 1 min before turning off the heat. The amount of lemon juice needed will depend on the milk's freshness.
- Line a sieve with a double layer of muslin and set over a bowl. Pour the cheese mixture into the sieve and leave for about 10 mins to allow the whey to drain through the cloth. Draw the muslin around the paneer and gently squeeze out any excess liquid.
- Transfer the cloth-wrapped cheese to a tray and pat it out into a 2cm-thick rectangle. Cover it with a tray and a couple of heavy tins and transfer to the fridge for at least 2-3 hrs. Unwrap the paneer - if you're not using it straight away, submerge it in cold water and keep it in the fridge. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328 calories, Fat 25 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 1 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 1 grams sugar, Protein 26 grams protein, Sodium 0.1 milligram of sodium
PANEER
Easy paneer recipe. Add to your favorite curry or dish. Great for vegetarians. Home made paneer is softer and lighter than the tofu consistency paneer you find in many Indian restaurants.
Provided by AMIBOULD
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Indian
Time 2h50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pour the gallon of milk into a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Watch carefully, as it will boil over almost as soon as it starts to boil. As the milk begins to boil, pour the buttermilk into the pot in a steady stream while stirring constantly. The milk will separate into curd and water.
- Place a cheesecloth into a colander, and pour the milk mixture through it. Reserve some of the liquid for later. Let the milk mixture sit in the colander for a couple of hours, or until it stops dripping.
- After the curds are strained and settled, transfer them to a food processor. Process until smooth. It should be able to form a ball if it is the right consistency. If it is too dry, add a little of the reserved liquid and process again. The consistency should be like a firm ricotta cheese.
- Turn the cheese out onto a clean surface, and knead until smooth. Form into a ball, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until needed.
- To cook the paneer, heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the paneer into bite size pieces. Fry for about 1 minute, or until a very pale golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Add to your favorite curry or dish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 421 calories, Carbohydrate 38.1 g, Cholesterol 58.3 mg, Fat 17.8 g, Protein 26.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 436.6 mg, Sugar 38.1 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, whole milk: This will give you the best flavor and texture for your paneer.
- Bring the milk to a boil slowly: This will help prevent the milk from scorching and curdling.
- Stir the milk constantly: This will help prevent the milk from boiling over and ensure that it heats evenly.
- Add the lemon juice or vinegar slowly: This will help prevent the milk from curdling too quickly.
- Strain the paneer through a cheesecloth-lined colander: This will help remove any excess whey from the paneer.
- Rinse the paneer with cold water: This will help remove any remaining whey and make the paneer more firm.
- Press the paneer: This will help remove even more whey and make the paneer firmer.
- Use the paneer fresh or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days: Paneer can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Conclusion:
Paneer is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be grilled, fried, sautéed, or added to soups and curries. Paneer is also a good source of protein and calcium. If you are looking for a healthy and delicious cheese, paneer is a great option.
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