Frederic Melton
Paneer is a soft, crumbly, fresh cheese that is a staple in Indian cuisine. It is made from cow or buffalo milk and vinegar or lemon juice, and is set using acid instead of rennet. It is typically not aged or cultured, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Paneer is available at Walmart, Whole Foods, Amazon, and Instacart, or you can make it at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online Retailers | Amazon, Instacart, Whole Foods Market, Walmart |
| Preservation | Wrap paneer with a damp muslin cloth and refrigerate |
| Substitutes | Halloumi, Tofu |
| Preparation | Can be eaten raw, sautéed, fried, grilled, or cooked in curry |
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What You'll Learn
Online: Amazon, Whole Foods, Instacart, and Walmart
Paneer cheese can be purchased online from major retailers like Amazon, Whole Foods, Instacart, and Walmart. Amazon offers a range of paneer cheese options, including frozen and vegetarian varieties, with customer reviews to help guide your purchase. Whole Foods, through Amazon, also offers a range of paneer cheese products, including vegetarian and keto options.
Instacart provides a convenient way to shop for paneer cheese from local and national retailers, offering on-demand, contactless delivery or in-store pickup within as little as one to two hours. You can browse through the selection of paneer cheese options and choose your desired product, and Instacart shoppers will take care of the rest.
Walmart also offers paneer cheese products, including ready-to-eat palak paneer, an authentic Indian dish that combines spinach and cottage cheese, with no preservatives added.
These online retailers provide a convenient way to purchase paneer cheese, allowing you to compare prices, read reviews, and choose the most suitable option for your needs, with the added benefit of quick delivery or pickup services.
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Specialist Indian grocers
Indian grocers are likely to stock one or two brands of paneer, which is made from curdled milk and some form of fruit or vegetable acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar. It is also possible to make paneer at home, but for those who don't want to make their own, specialist Indian grocers are a good bet.
In addition to Indian grocers, paneer can also be found at some large grocery stores, depending on the region. For example, in Australia, it is available at stores like Coles and Woolworths. However, some people claim that homemade paneer is far superior in terms of texture and flavour.
For those unable to find a local Indian grocer or a suitable grocery store, online options like Amazon are available, offering free shipping on eligible orders. Alternatively, some local stores may also offer delivery or pickup options for paneer through services like Amazon.
Overall, specialist Indian grocers are a reliable source for purchasing paneer cheese, and they typically carry a small selection of brands to choose from.
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Make it at home
Making paneer at home is a straightforward process that requires only a few ingredients and no specialist equipment. It is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild flavour, which takes on the taste of whatever it is cooked with.
To make paneer, you will need milk and an acidic ingredient. For the milk, use full-fat raw or pasteurised cow's, buffalo's, or goat's milk. Avoid low-fat, skimmed, or ultra-pasteurised milk, as these yield a lower amount of cheese. For the acidic ingredient, lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid, yogurt, or whey from a previous batch of paneer can be used.
The process begins by heating the milk in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until it is foamy and about to boil. Turn off the heat and add your chosen acidic ingredient, stirring for one minute. The milk should begin to curdle. If it doesn't, turn the heat back on and bring it to a gentle boil until the solids separate.
Line a strainer or colander with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl. Ladle the curdled milk into the strainer, then pour in the rest. Ensure there is no excess whey in the milk solids before hanging the paneer for 30 minutes to drain completely. If there is excess whey, the paneer may break in your sauce. Gather the edges of the cloth and bundle the paneer into a round shape. Squeeze out any excess liquid, then hang the bundle for 30 minutes.
To set the paneer, place the bundle on a flat colander or wooden board and place a heavy object on top. Leave the paneer to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours.
Once set, the paneer can be diced and used in a variety of recipes, such as Palak Paneer, Paneer Butter Masala, Matar Paneer, or Paneer Tikka Masala.
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Substitute with tofu or halloumi
If you're looking for paneer cheese, you can find it at Whole Foods Market. However, if you're unable to find it, you can substitute it with tofu or halloumi.
Tofu is a bean curd made from soy milk, whereas paneer is a type of cheese made from cow's or buffalo's milk. While tofu and paneer have different flavours and textures, they can be used interchangeably in many recipes without a drastic change in taste or texture. Tofu is best used as a substitute for paneer in Indian cooking, where it can be seasoned with salt and turmeric and fried to achieve a chewy texture.
Halloumi is a Middle Eastern cheese made from sheep, goat, or cow's milk. It has a firm and rubbery texture, and a salty taste. While halloumi and paneer have very little in common beyond being melt-resistant, they can be substituted for each other in a pinch. Halloumi is best used as a substitute for paneer in dishes like saag paneer, where its salty flavour and firm texture make it a suitable meat substitute.
Both tofu and halloumi can be good substitutes for paneer, depending on the dish and your personal preference. If you're looking for a vegan option, tofu is the better choice, as halloumi is not always suitable for vegetarians, due to its use of rennet, an animal enzyme.
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Ready-to-eat meals
Paneer is a fresh, mild, milky-tasting cheese commonly used in Indian cooking. It is similar to Mexican queso fresco and Italian ricotta salata. It is usually added to flavourful sauces or spicy dishes.
Paneer is easy to make at home, with just two ingredients: milk and an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice or vinegar. However, if you're looking for ready-to-eat meals containing paneer, there are several options available.
Kitchens of India offers a ready-to-eat Palak Paneer, Spinach & Cottage Cheese dish. This authentic Indian meal contains no preservatives and is available in packs of 3 or 6, with each pack weighing 10 oz.
Sach Foods offers a ready-to-eat Original Paneer product. This paneer is made with sustainably sourced organic milk and is keto-friendly and gluten-free. It has a soft, crumbly texture and a neutral taste, making it perfect for snacking or adding to your favourite Indian dishes like Saag Paneer or stir-fries.
In addition to these options, there may be other brands offering ready-to-eat meals containing paneer, depending on your location. You can explore options at your local grocery store or online marketplaces.
With these convenient ready-to-eat options, you can easily enjoy the delicious taste of paneer without the hassle of preparing it from scratch.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy paneer cheese online from Amazon, Whole Foods, Walmart, and Instacart.
You can buy paneer cheese in-store at Whole Foods and Walmart.
To preserve paneer cheese, wrap it with a damp muslin cloth and put it in the refrigerator. Make sure you sprinkle the cloth with water from time to time to maintain the moisture.
Paneer cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It is curdled using acidic food ingredients such as buttermilk, vinegar, and lemon juices.
Paneer cheese is commonly used in Indian dishes such as Saag Paneer, Palak Paneer, and Paneer Naan Pizza.
