How To Make Paneer

I'll be really interested to hear about your paneer making adventures, Kalyn.  (I'm afraid we're lazy and we buy paneer AND yoghurt. If we couldn't get really good paneer and really good yoghurt, no doubt we would be more motivated to try making it ourselves.)

Elizabeth
blog from OUR kitchen ( http://www.etherwork.net/blog/ )

That's one reason I've been wanting to try making paneer, because I've read a few blogs saying it was similar.

Just saved your recipe for Palak Paneer to my del.icio.us, thanks!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

We use paneer in "palak paneer" (spinach and cheese). In the palak paneer preparation, the cheese is fried. I don't think I would ever try frying cubes of cottage cheese.

While the methods of making cottage cheese and paneer may be similar, there must be some variation between the two. Queso blanco seems to be virtually the same as paneer as well but we've found that it doesn't retain its shape nicely, the same way that paneer does when it's put into hot spinach. 

We recently bought some haloumi (which I gather is a similar kind of cheese to paneer) and are planning to try making pakora with it.

Elizabeth
blog from OUR kitchen ( http://www.etherwork.net/blog/ )

P.S. Just in case anyone is interested, here is our recipe for palak paneer ( http://etherwork.net/recipes/Indianvegetables.html... )

I'd love to live right by a market like that. Salt Lake has a great Indian market, but it's just far enough from my house that I don't go there often. However, now that it's summer, I'm going to make a point to go there. And I'm going to try making paneer too.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

about the different perceptions of making/buying yogurt. Back in the sixties, it was very trendy to make your own yogurt here, but now I don't think people do it as often. I've never made yogurt myself, but I do plan to make paneer.

So glad you discovered a new herb. I love, love, love tarragon.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

I used to be able to buy paneer in the grocery store in one of my old neighbourhoods. And freshly made samosas. And during the summer, grilled corn.

I just made myself hungry.

Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca/ ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.wordpress.com/ ).

Paneer bhurji (no cubes needed) is a common and yummy dish. Thanks for reminding me. I'm going to make some this week as filling for a vegiie kathi: Parantha stuffed with paneer.

Paneer is the only form of cheese I can have (lactose intolerant me) without feeling like throwing up. 

O, BTW, you know we make (unprocessed) yogurt at home, right? It's funny how someone I knew here refused to believe me when I said we made yogurt at home, and then how my family back in India laughs when I tell them we actually buy yogurt from the store on a regular basis.:D

We call it "curd". 

Very intersting posts, Kalyn. I decided to try tarragon. It's cool :)  

I do think making your own sounds like it would be a lot of fun, and I have no doubt it would taste better.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

I could see how cottage cheese could be used as a  acceptable substitute, but I would argue that if you are going to drain the cottage cheese anyway, why skimp on the process?  Just boil some damn milk and do it up right. There is nothing like fresh, slightly warm paneer.  YUM.

http://rancidraves.blogspot.com/

http://abooblog.blogspot.com/

That's just how I feel about my (always) huge list of "things to cook." Fun having new challenges to try though.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

I used to make this when my boys were grade school age and we all loved it.  Now I haven't made it since.  Why do things drop out? 

It's so good. I should do it again.  The list of things is long to do. 

I've read people who said paneer is just like cottage cheese and people who said it's quite distinct, so I guess it's a matter of opinon. Close enough for many recipes I'd guess.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

Paneer is basically cottage cheese. So you can use store-bought cottage cheese in any recipe that calls for paneer.

The difference - store bought cottage cheese generally doesn't come in those delightful cubes.

If you are particular about the cubes, you will have to first squeeze out the excess water and harden the cheese a bit. I usually freeze the cottage cheese to harden it, and then I can cut it into cubes..

I absolutely love being able to learn more about Indian food from great blogs like yours!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

Kalyn, ...its wonderful that you write about Paneer. Its gratifying to know Indian food being appriciated this way. Thanks for the links and of course, for mentioning me!

Srivalli

Cooking 4 all Seasons ( http://www.cooking4allseasons.blogspot.com )

A Journey called Life.. ( http://www.srivallis-cosmos.blogspot.com )