How to make Paneer / Indian Cottage Cheese:
Paneer is basically a soft cheese made from milk..!
Its very healthy & most of us love paneer with its delicate milky flavor. It doesn’t have much taste of its own, but it is used in many great dishes like Butter paneer masala, Palak paneer, kadai Paneer , Shahi Paneer etc.,
Its very easy to prepare fresh paneer at home. Once we make our own, we will never go back to store bought.
So, today I’m sharing the easy step by step recipe on how to make fresh & soft Indian Cheese, Paneer..:)
Ingredients:
- Whole fat milk - 1 litre
- Fresh lime juice - 2 to 3 tbsp ( or 1 ½ tbsp vinegar )
Lets Start:
- Take milk in a heavy bottomed pan.
- Allow to boil in medium high.
- Squeeze lemon and take fresh lime juice. ( vinegar can also be used )
- Keep stirring the milk, until it comes to boil.
- Now turn the flame to low heat and add lime juice, 1 tsp at a time.
- Keep stirring the milk after each addition.
- Repeat this until the milk curdles completely.
- Now you can see the whey water separates from the solid milk particles.
- Turn off the gas and keep aside for 5 minutes.
- Place a thick muslin cloth over a strainer.
- Pour the contents in the pan over the strainer.
- Rinse the strained paneer with fresh water.
- Now we can see nice creamy paneer.
- Take a tray & keep it in the bottom.
- Place a big plate with holes in it over the tray.
- Now carefully gather the edges of the muslin cloth and hold it up.
- Gently roll the cloth, so that the excess whey water drains out.
- Fold the cloth with paneer inside as a rectangular block, ( as we fold kerchief)
- Now place the cloth under a heavy weight over it. ( usually I use a thick bottomed wok with water )
- This ensures smooth pressing & helps to get Paneer, just like store bought one.
- Now wait for 4 to 5 hrs. ( the longer you press the paneer, the firmer it gets)
- Unfold the cloth, we can see good & smooth paneer.
- The sides which are not pressed looks crumbled.
- Trim the edges & cut it to fine cubes.
- Home made healthy paneer is ready to add in any favorite curry of our choice.
- Paneer can be used in many different ways from making desserts, appetizers & main course dishes.
This stays good for about 2 to 3 days in refrigerator & 1 to 2 months in freezer.
Note:
- Do not throw away the leftover whey water, it can be reserved in fridge, & used for kneading chapatti, paratha or pizza dough.
- The more fat content in the milk, the better output. Paneer made from a high fat content milk will be tastier.
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this looks fabulous deliciously done and presented
ReplyDeleteJay what nice and yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh! I am super interested in this recipe! I just recently ate this cheese and loved it!!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully made paneers...
ReplyDeletewonderfully made paneer..will try this for sure..looking fab!
ReplyDeleteSpicy-Aroma
Great step by step, look forward to your paneer dishes :-)
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing such great tips.
ReplyDeleteThe paneer cubes look so attractive ! Must be scrumptious & delicious.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered how to make paneer. Thanks for the recipe. I'll have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteYes, I use the whey for curries or pizza dough. Nicely done.
ReplyDeletePerfect panner cubes
ReplyDeleteNice demo dear - I use the whey for smoothies and for making chappati attas whenever I make paneer at home.
ReplyDeleteNice demo dear - I use the whey for smoothies and for making chappati attas whenever I make paneer at home.
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful illustrative clicks,loved them.
ReplyDeleteLooks yum
ReplyDeletehttp://www.followfoodiee.com/
The first click Jay,I loved it !!
ReplyDeleteThis is an easy recipe to follow..definitely will bookmark this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post! Nice and detailed recipe with beautiful pics.
ReplyDeletevery useful post jay...soft paneer..
ReplyDeleteIts been long time since I made paneer at home. Loved your step wise pics !!
ReplyDeleteU make your own cheese too, Jay?? U never fail to impress me, dear! Great work here :)
ReplyDeleteYour Paneer looks perfect Jay!!
ReplyDeletehttp://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/
Lovely post with lovely tip... Thanks Jay...
ReplyDeleteLove the step by step photos. Have bookmarked this post and will attempt to make soon. I hope it turns out just like yours! :)
ReplyDeleteperfect presentation...
ReplyDeleteI like to use vinegar in my paneer. useful for newbies.
ReplyDeletePerfect looking home made paneer, wonderful preparation...
ReplyDeleteHa ! That's one of the Indian food that I'm too keen to make ! And it will freeze well ! Thanks , Jay for sharing this ! Hopefully I can think of what to do about it once I already made it ! lol
ReplyDeleteVery useful post..I always had a problem in making firm paneer. will follow your steps now
ReplyDelete..
The paneer has come out perfectly jay!!! This is an awesome post :)
ReplyDeleteNothing will beat these homemade paneer,well done Jay.
ReplyDeleteProcess well explained Jey. I too like to make paneer at home as store brought one always has some problem or the other due to improper temp. for storage & power cuts.
ReplyDeleteMira’s Talent Gallery
thanks dearies for taking time to leave your valuable thoughts..
ReplyDeletedo giv a try & enjoy the fresh paneer at home..:)
very helpful Jay..love the pics.
ReplyDelete-Delicious Adventures
Hi Jay :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful pics of paneer you have here.
Perhaps you're interested to submit your food photos on a food photography site that has tagline "Food Photography that will make you hungry" :)
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It's free to submit, free to join, and a lot of members can enjoy your creation!
wow..thats really perfect paneer!..thx for the step by step pics..v helpful...
ReplyDeletePeeerrrrrffffeeeeccccttttt!!! creamy homemade cheese.
ReplyDeleteGr8 jay!
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteI saw this recipe on tv some time ago.
home made is the best.. i have tried very few times.. thnx for the tips on whey water.. new to me..
ReplyDeleteThanks Jay, I'm so happy to learn about paneer making!
ReplyDeleteHi JaY,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit to my blog and
thank you for your valuable comment on my post.
I wish your regular support to me Jay:)
Keep on...
Hi JaY,
ReplyDeleteHome made paneer is very useful to me JaY :)
Nice idea JaY :) :-)
useful post for any beginners to the kitchen..Fresh paneer always works the magic..
ReplyDeletethis is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI just love paneer and it's so easy to make!
ReplyDeleteVery useful post..
ReplyDeleteThis looks so easy and tasty ... I'm learning so much from you, Jay :-)
ReplyDeleteStore bought paneer is never as good as homemade. Thanks for the step by step pics.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful and useful post!
ReplyDeleteusefull post.love the come.
ReplyDeleteperfect Paneer! Homemade are the best n tasty ones...nice clicks!
ReplyDeleteSpicy Treats
Very informative post Jay. I sometimes add pepper or herbs like cilantro and mint in the paneer, they add a lot of flavor.
ReplyDeleteLovely post,jay..I too make paneer at home..:-)
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1. The Kerala Kitchen(June'12)
2.EP Series-Basil OR Cardamom
Thank you for your visit & valuable feedback..
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day..:)
Oh wow! You've inspired me! I would love to try this. I've made my own ricotta and this look similar. Thanks for the tutorial and great pics!
ReplyDeleteUseful and nice post...will try ..
ReplyDeleteShabbu's Tasty Kitchen
Very informative post! Liked it.
ReplyDeleteHi Jay, never realized that paneer is quite easy to make. hmmmm, bookmarked with thanks. a must try for me, cos i come across so many recipes with paneer as a main ingredient. have a nice day
ReplyDeleteGood one Jay! very handy too!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Wow
ReplyDeleteuseful post....perfectly done....
ReplyDeleteHome made are always best..
ReplyDelete