Paneer, a fresh cheese central to Indian cooking, can be made at home in about two hours with five ingredients, according to a recipe that calls for milk, plain yogurt, salt, sugar, and lemon juice. The guide states that cooks often substitute ricotta or other cheeses, but those alternatives do not taste the same. Making paneer, the recipe adds, is simple and gives dishes what it describes as true Indian authenticity.
The recipe lists a prep time of 120 minutes, a cook time of 20 minutes, and a total time of 140 minutes. It yields four servings.
Ingredients and Method
The ingredient list is four cups of milk, one tablespoon of plain yogurt, one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of sugar, and one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. To begin, combine the milk, yogurt, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk. When the milk is just about to boil and bubbles at the edges, stir in the lemon juice.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the mixture into a sieve lined with cheesecloth. Lift the cheesecloth by its four corners and tie them together. Hang the cloth over the sink to drain for 30 minutes to one hour. After draining, place the cheese, still wrapped in the cloth, into a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
For firm paneer fingers, the recipe suggests using a spoon to press the paneer into the shape of the bowl before refrigerating.
Nutrition at a Glance
According to the provided nutrition facts, each serving contains 125 calories, 5 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of protein.
Editorial Notes