What is Paneer Cheese: 5 Delicious Recipes to Try at Home
Paneer is a cheese with Indian origins, produced by curdling milk using heat and acid. It is a quick fix for cheese cravings as it only takes at least two hours to make the dairy product. Using cow’s or buffalo’s milk, the Paneer cheese is iconic for its characteristic of not melting even when heated. However, despite not being made using rennet or the usual live cultures, Paneer is a staple in Indian cuisine. But which recipes do Paneer cheese fit into? Here are some examples to try at home.
1. Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is a classic dish from Northern India, made by sauteing chopped spinach in a flavorful gravy made from strained yogurt or Paneer. Local cooks add Paneer to the spinach at the last stage of the cooking process to make it extra special.
The dish is the perfect example of incorporating Paneer cheese into your cooking. Variations of this recipe come with various veggies, but spinach is the most palatable due to its unique taste.
2. Tandoori Kebabs with Paneer
Having the Paneer cheese as the main ingredient, Tandoori Kebabs are a crowd favorite as they are easy to prepare and are mouthwatering. The Paneer is pan-fried and then added to the tandoor (a clay oven), where it is cooked in the Tandoori masala. The same meat used for the kebabs is also used for marinating Paneer. It is best when served with a slice of fried bread.
3. Paneer Butter Masala
A famous dish that cannot be missed on any restaurant menu, the Paneer Butter Masala is easily differentiable due to the inclusion of butter and fresh cream. Some restaurants may include butter in their recipe, but the original dish can stand independently. The Paneer is diced then cooked in a light brownish gravy with green chilli and onion. A touch of garam masala and tomato sauce makes this a particular dish.
4. Curried Lentils with Paneer
Locals use thick and reddish lentils to make curried lentils with Paneer. The dish is a traditionally-prepared meal in the Indian state of Gujarat. Meanwhile, the people add Paneer to the recipe to give the desired texture to the dish. As a result, the dish is a flavorful and perfectly-spiced meal.
5. Mughlai Shahi Paneer
Mughlai Shahi Paneer is a famous dish from Northern India. It is made by cooking Paneer in a gravy made from cows' milk. The dish is a blend of various spices and condiments, making it a mouth-watering recipe to try at home.
Having a bite of the Paneer with the gravy makes this dish both delicious and unique. Like much of Indian cuisine, cooks use Paneer in almost every recipe—from snacks to main dishes and desserts. Aside from the above, any Paneer recipe can also be made simply saute it.
Paneer’s versatility can hardly be matched. It doesn’t only taste good, but it also makes cooking fun! Try cooking it at home and experience the joy of tasty meals.
Conclusion
Paneer has been a traditional recipe for thousands of years. It is used in various recipes in India but is popular in other countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. As a cheese, it tastes good and is easy to cook with. However, if you have any doubts about it, include it in ingredients you are familiar with.
Karakoram Restaurant is the best Halal-Pakistani restaurant in Victoria, BC. Our goal is to serve East Indian food while satisfying our customers' cravings for something unique and authentic. Check out the best Indian dishes near you by visiting our restaurant or ordering online today.