Andy Montoya
Paneer is a type of fresh, unsalted curd cheese that is native to India and South Asia. It is made by curdling milk with an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice or vinegar. Paneer is a popular ingredient in Indian cuisine and can be served in a variety of ways, including in curries, wraps, skewers, fritters, and salads. It is also commonly grilled, barbecued, or fried and served with rice, noodles, or bread. Paneer is a versatile and tasty ingredient that can be used to create a range of delicious dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation method | Pan-fried, barbecued, grilled, deep-fried, or oven-baked |
| Accompaniments | Rice, noodles, roti, naan bread, wraps, avocado salsa, salad, chutney, mint, garlic, coriander, or yogurt sauce |
| Dish types | Curries, pancakes, skewers, fritters, sandwiches, pakoras, rolls, salads, or snacks |
| Flavors | Spicy, tangy, or sweet |
| Cuisine | Indian, Chinese, or Mexican |
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What You'll Learn
How to cook paneer cheese
Paneer is a type of fresh, unsalted curd cheese native to India and South Asia. It is relatively bland on its own, so it is typically added to flavourful sauces or spiced before cooking. It is also often used in curries because, unlike other cheeses, it does not melt.
To make paneer at home, you will need milk, lemon juice or vinegar, and a bit of salt to season. Heat the milk just below its boiling point, then add lemon juice or vinegar. This will cause the milk to curdle and separate into curds and whey. Remove the whey, then press the curds. You can use a cheesecloth to help with this process. The longer you hang the cheese, the firmer it will be. Press the curds for at least 15 minutes or up to an hour. Once pressed, your paneer is finished and ready to use.
Paneer can be cooked in a variety of ways, including pan-frying, barbecuing, grilling, and deep-frying. Before cooking, you can add spices such as cumin or mustard seeds to the paneer or coat the pieces in a dry spice mixture. To pan-fry the paneer, heat a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Add the paneer pieces and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown. You can also grill skewers of paneer and vegetables and serve them with a fruity avocado salsa.
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How to serve paneer cheese as a side dish
Paneer is a traditional Indian cheese with a soft yet firm, non-melting texture. It is made by curdling milk with an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice or vinegar, and is often used in Indian cooking. Here are some ways to serve paneer as a side dish:
Saag Paneer
Saag paneer is a flavourful vegetarian side dish that is rich in calcium and folate. It is made by sauteing a mixture of spices, including garam masala, coriander, cumin, and turmeric, with spinach and yogurt. Cubes of paneer are then added to the mixture and cooked until warmed through. This dish can be served with rice or naan bread.
Matar Paneer
Matar paneer is a vegetarian dish made with paneer, peas, and a spicy tomato sauce. It is a quick and easy meal that can be served as a side or main course. To make this dish, saute the paneer in batches until lightly browned, then cook the onion, ginger, and garlic until tender. Add spices such as coriander, cumin, salt, turmeric, and cayenne, followed by the tomatoes. Finally, add the paneer, water, and peas, and simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Spicy Schezwan Paneer
Spicy Schezwan Paneer is a popular Indian-Chinese dish made with paneer and a spicy, flavorful sauce made from Schezwan peppers. This dish is similar to chilli paneer and can be served as a side in any South Indian meal.
Paneer Cutlet
Paneer cutlet is a pan-fried patty made with paneer, vegetables, spices, and fresh herbs. These cutlets can be served hot or warm with green chutney or plain. They can also be grilled in the oven.
Bread Paneer Rolls
Bread paneer rolls are made with crumbled paneer, peas, spices, and herbs. The spiced paneer is stuffed into bread and rolled into cigars, which can be shallow fried, pan-fried, baked, or deep-fried until crisp. These rolls are best served hot with tea or chutney.
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How to serve paneer cheese as a snack
Paneer is a versatile Indian cheese that can be served in many ways as a snack. It is a soft, crumbly, and unsalted cheese with a mild flavour, so it is typically paired with flavourful sauces or spices.
One simple way to serve paneer as a snack is to cut it into cubes, slices, or strips, and fry it. Before frying, you can sprinkle the paneer with salt, chilli powder, oregano, and honey. You can also coat the cubes with sesame seeds before frying. The fried paneer can be served with dipping sauces or plain.
Paneer can also be added to a wrap or sandwich. Spread chutney or mustard sauce on a chapati, add fried cabbage, and place the fried paneer on top. Roll it up, and you have a delicious snack!
If you're looking for something more substantial, you can make a paneer sandwich with caramelised onion, mustard, cumin seeds, and cheddar cheese. Or try a bread paneer roll, made with crumbled paneer, peas, spices, and herbs, rolled up in bread, and shallow fried, pan-fried, baked, or deep-fried.
For a quick and easy snack, try tossing fried paneer cubes in a sweet, sour, and spicy chilli sauce. This dish is known as Chilli Paneer and is a popular Indian street food.
Finally, for a more unique snack, try making paneer pakoras, which are made with gram flour, spices, and Indian cheese. The paneer is dipped in spiced gram flour batter and deep-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior. Serve these pakoras with mint or garlic chutney for a tasty treat.
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How to serve paneer cheese in a curry
Paneer is a popular Indian cheese that is widely used in curries. It is a non-aged, unsalted cheese with a similar flavour to cottage cheese. It is usually cut into bite-sized cubes and added to curries, but it can also be scrambled or fried.
When adding paneer to a curry, it should be added at the end of cooking to prevent it from falling apart. It can be cut into cubes and fried in a little oil first, which helps the cheese stay together in the curry.
There are many different types of curries that use paneer, such as:
- Palak Paneer: a spinach and cheese curry
- Matar Paneer: a curry with peas
- Kadai Paneer: a curry with bell peppers
- Saag Paneer: a flavourful veggie curry with ginger and cardamom
- Chilli Paneer: a lightly spiced curry
- Paneer Pasanda: a creamy and rich curry served with stuffed sandwiches
- Dhaba-style Paneer Curry: a simple curry with rustic flavours, often served with roti, paratha, naan or plain rice
Paneer is a great vegetarian substitute for meat in a curry and can be served with rice and/or homemade naan and chapatis for a complete meal.
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How to serve paneer cheese in a sandwich
Paneer cheese sandwiches are a delicious and protein-packed Indian snack. Here are some ways you can serve paneer cheese in a sandwich:
Ingredients
To make a paneer cheese sandwich, you will need paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cheese, spices, vegetables, herbs, and bread. For the cheese, mozzarella is a good option for that desirable cheese pull. For spices, you can use any Indian or Italian spices. For vegetables, you can use onions, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, green chillies, or capsicum (bell peppers). For herbs, coriander leaves or dried oregano are good options. You can also add salt, garlic, ginger, and red chilli powder. For the bread, you can use white, brown, multi-grain, or whole wheat bread.
Preparation
First, heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. When they start to crackle, add onions and chillies. Sauté until the onions turn golden. Then, add ginger and garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell goes away. Next, add tomatoes and sprinkle salt, turmeric, garam masala, and red chilli powder. You can also add boiled sweet corn at this stage. Mix well and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy. Finally, add the paneer and mix well.
Assembly
Take a bread slice and spread sauce, mayo, curd, green chutney, or any other spread of your choice on the inner side. You can also butter the bread slices on the outer side. Then, add the paneer mixture and top with cheese and sliced onions. Cover with another bread slice and toast in a toaster, oven, grill, or tawa until golden. You can also sprinkle some red chilli flakes, dried oregano, or mixed herbs on top. Serve the paneer cheese sandwich hot or warm with ketchup, chutney, or any dip of your choice.
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