Paneer is one of my most favorite dish and obviously it should be yours too. Many of us love paneer mainly for its versatility, soft, cheesy and chewy texture. The flexibility of paneer never ceases to amaze most of us as it absorbs flavors well and is easy and fast to cook. Paneer also happens to be one of the easiest homemade cheeses as it’s easy to make and just requires milk and lemon juice.
Basically paneer is an Indian cheese with a slightly chewy texture and mild flavors very similar to queso blanco. It holds its shape well and doesn’t melt while sautéing, frying or cooking. It is a very popular ingredient extensively used in various north Indian delicacies and of course it a must for classic Indian dishes like Korma and palak (palak paneer – paneer cooked in spinach gravy).
Paneer is the most common South Asian and Persian cheese. It is basically an un-aged, acid set, non-melting farmer cheese made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice or other food acid. The texture of paneer is quite similar to the Greek feta cheese. Paneer is one of those few types of cheese indigenous to the Indian sub-continent and widely used in Indian cuisine, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisine.
Paneer is completely lacto-vegetarian and a great source of proteins to the vegans. Chhena or Chhana is an East Indian variant of Paneer widely eaten in West Bengal, Orissa region of India and also in the neighbouring country of Bangladesh. Moist and soft crumbly in texture, it is used to make delicacies such as Sandesh, Matter paneer and Rasgulla. It is a rich source of milk protein. The procedure of making Chhena is similar to paneer but it is not pressed for a long time.
In Orissa, the process of making the cheese is same that of ricotta. The milk is boiled, curdled with a small amount of whey and then strained and beaten in cheesecloth. The cheese is kneaded well till it becomes smooth and can be used in any dessert. Paneer can be made into lip-smacking, explicit salads, snacks, added in various curries/ gravies that is worthy to get a connoisseur’s attention and ask for more.
From a hearty paneer stuffing into a kathi roll or paneer egg roll to adding these soft cubes in delectable creamy malai gravy (Paneer Methi Malai Mirch) to salads gets bliss to our palate and delights our taste buds. Discover and refresh yourself by starting off with these top 10 paneer dishes to keep your family and kids in high spirits.
Paneer Tikka Masala Paneer Tikka Masala is a gourmet dish which is simple to cook but very flavourful. Marinated paneer with tomato gravy makes a delightful dish for a formal dinner.
Chilli Paneer Chilli Paneer is a simple yet spicy dish made from paneer (soft cheese), bell peppers, green chillies and other spices to give it a nice yummy taste.
Paneer Butter Pepper Fry Paneer Butter Pepper Fry – mildly spiced batter coated paneer deep fried until slightly browned and later tossed in some butter and pepper masala.
Paneer Satay with Peanut Sauce Paneer cut into big size and marinated with different fresh herb flavours and coconut milk, peanut butter and cooked over a grill until it gets light brown colour and served with peanut sauce
Paneer Paratha Paneer Paratha is a popular Punjabi paratha recipe. A delicious double-layer of paratha filled with spiced paneer or cottage cheese is an experience one should die for.
Paneer Pizza Pockets Paneer pizza pockets are easy to make snacks, paneer, spices and herbs mixed and stuffed in flour based wrapper paneer pizza toping and deep fried.
Kadai Paneer Kadai Paneer is one of the popular paneer recipe. This recipe is prepared in restaurant style. Cubed paneer combined with spicy kadhai gravy! The aroma of spices cooking in simmering tomatoes is unmistakeably signature of this dish!
Paneer Butter Masala Paneer Butter Masala is a delicious dish in which succulent cubes of Indian Cottage Cheese are cooked in thick creamy, tangy gravy.
Mattar Paneer Mattar Paneer Recipe with Yellow Curry – Green peas and cottage cheese cooked in mildly spiced yellow gravy curry. This is an excellent and delicious dish that is often available in most restaurant menus.
Shahi Paneer Shahi Paneer is a rich and aromatic dish, Indian cheese cooked in almond gravy a great Mughalai cooking
Paneer Pasanda Paneer pasanda is a dish from the Mughlai cuisine, paneer sandwiched with pleasant spices and then cooked in a delicate blend of gravy, spices, like cumin, and kasuri methi.
Methi Paneer Corn Pulao Paneer Corn Methi Pulao is a one pot scrumptious meal prepared with sweet corn, paneer and fenugreek leaves, and the duo tastes awesome and gives a fantastic flavour to the pulao. This is one among the best lunch box meal that is easy to make and doesn't need any special side dish to accompany it, just some curd or raita will do.
I am sure that you all will be enthralled in preparing these exotic and yummy paneer recipes and delight your family and friends with joy. If at all I have not mentioned any of your favourite paneer recipes then you could always click on at: https://www.vahrehvah.com/paneer-recipes
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Enjoy Cooking! Keep Smiling…