Cody Casey
Indian paneer cheese is a versatile ingredient used in many dishes, both savoury and sweet. It is a non-melting cheese that can be scrambled or cut into cubes and used in curries, rice dishes, snacks, appetisers, cakes, and desserts. It is a common source of protein and calcium for vegetarians in India. Paneer is used in dishes such as masala, tikka, biryani, pakora, and butter masala. It can be grilled, fried, or baked and served with vegetables, chutney, or naan bread. There are also sweet dishes made with paneer, such as paneer kheer, a rich, milky pudding flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and rose water.
Things that can be made from Paneer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Snacks | Paneer Pakora, Dahi Kabab, Paneer Popcorn, Rolls, Wraps, Patties |
| Sweets | Kheer, Rasmalai, Paneer Jamun, Sandesh |
| Curries | Saag Paneer, Matar Paneer, Palak Paneer, Paneer Makhani Gravy, Malai Gravy, Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Lababdar |
| Rice Dishes | Biryani |
| Appetizers | Skewers, Paneer Tikka |
| Salads | Salad wraps with sesame-fried paneer |
| Sandwiches | Paneer and cheddar sandwich |
| Chilli | Chilli con carne with beans, spices, and paneer |
| Other Savoury Dishes | Scrambled paneer, Broccoli and paneer, Samosa |
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What You'll Learn
Paneer in curries
Paneer is a basic kind of non-melting cheese used in Indian cuisine. It is widely used in curries, and there are many ways to cook it.
One popular way to cook paneer is in a smooth and silky makhani gravy. Another is in palak gravy, where spinach forms the base of the curry, adding an earthy flavour and a vibrant green colour. Saag paneer is a well-loved vegetarian side dish that is rich in calcium and folate from the spinach and is gluten-free. Palak paneer is made by adding paneer to spinach gravy. This dish is colourful and delicious and can be made by retaining the nutrients, taste, and colour of the spinach by not blanching it.
Paneer is also used in a popular dish called paneer butter masala, or butter paneer. This is a rich and creamy curry made with paneer, spices, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and butter. The curry is cooked in butter, giving it its characteristic flavour. It is one of the most popular dishes in Indian restaurants.
Paneer can also be grilled and served with vegetables and a fruity avocado salsa. It can be coated with crunchy sesame seeds and fried, then wrapped in a crisp salad for a vegetarian lunch or dinner. It can also be served in wraps with spicy chutney.
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Paneer in rice dishes
Paneer is a basic kind of non-melting cheese used in Indian cuisine. It is a common source of protein and calcium for vegetarians. It can be used in many rice dishes, such as biryani, pulao, and fried rice.
Paneer Pulao is a one-pot rice pilaf made with spices and vegetables, topped with crisp, pan-fried paneer. The rice can be cooked in water, stock, or coconut milk, and spices such as bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds, cardamom, and star anise can be added. Vegetables such as onions, peas, carrots, green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower can also be included. The paneer is marinated with spices and pan-fried until crisp, and then layered or garnished over the rice.
Paneer Biryani is another rice dish that is more suitable for special occasions or weekends as it is more elaborate and time-consuming to prepare.
Paneer Fried Rice is an Indian-Chinese fusion dish that can be made in a wok. It is made with rice, paneer, mixed vegetables, spices, and soy sauce. The paneer is marinated and fried until golden brown, and then mixed with vegetables such as garlic, chillies, onions, beans, carrots, and capsicum. This dish can be served with Manchurian or any gravy-based curries.
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Paneer snacks
Paneer is a basic kind of non-melting cheese used in Indian cuisine. It is a common source of protein and calcium for vegetarians. It can be used in curries, rice dishes, snacks, appetisers, cakes, and even desserts.
Paneer Pakora
A quick snack that can be made in under 25 minutes. To make this, dip Indian cottage cheese in spiced gram flour batter and deep fry. It is crispy on the outside and soft inside. Serve with mint chutney or red garlic chutney.
Dahi Kabab
A North Indian vegetarian snack that is crispy on the outside and soft inside with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. It is made with yogurt, paneer, gram flour, and spices. Serve with mint chutney.
Paneer Popcorn
A kid-friendly snack where tiny chunks of Indian cheese are battered, breaded, and fried to make golden, crisp, and mildly spiced popcorn. Serve with green chutney, ketchup, or yogurt sauce.
Paneer Skewers
Grill skewers of paneer cheese and vegetables and serve with naan bread, rice, and mango chutney for an Indian-inspired dinner.
Chapati Rolls
Omelette-coated chapati rolls with a coriander relish and stuffed with paneer seasoned with mango.
Paneer Wraps
Crisp flatbread stuffed with a spicy paneer filling and rolled up to form delicious wraps.
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Sweet dishes with paneer
There are several sweet dishes that can be made with paneer, a type of Indian cottage cheese. Here are some recipes to try:
Paneer Kheer
Also known as paneer payasam, paneer payesh, or paneer kheer is a popular Indian dessert. It is a milk-based creamy dessert that can be served warm or chilled and mixed with vanilla ice cream. To make it, small balls of kneaded fresh paneer are dropped into simmering milk. It is often garnished with fried or toasted dry fruits like almonds, cashews, and raisins.
Kalakand
Kalakand is a traditional Indian sweet dish made with milk and sugar. The traditional recipe involves simmering milk for several hours, but there is also an instant version that can be made in under 20 minutes. Gajar kalakand is a variation that includes fresh carrots.
Rasmalai
Rasmalai is a popular Bengali dessert. It is made by boiling chenna (paneer) discs in sugar syrup and then soaking them in thickened milk flavoured with saffron and cardamom powder.
Rasgulla
Rasgulla is another popular Indian dessert made with chenna or paneer. The milk curds are drained and rolled into tiny balls, which are then boiled in hot cardamom-flavoured sugary syrup until they become puffed and spongy.
Sandesh
Sandesh is a quick and easy sweet made with chenna (paneer) and a sweetener, typically sugar. The paneer is mashed to a soft texture and then slightly sauteed with sugar. It can be made in different flavours and with various toppings.
Malai Ladoo
Malai ladoo is a simple sweet made with paneer, sugar, cardamom powder, and cream or milk.
Chum Chum
Chum chum is another Bengali sweet similar to rasgulla but stuffed with milk solids and nuts.
Pan-fried Paneer
Paneer can also be used to make a sweet appetizer. Pan-fried paneer can be made in under 15 minutes with basic ingredients. It can be served as a side with plain basmati rice, noodles, or as a starter or snack. It can also be wrapped in roti and had as a paneer kathi roll.
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Appetisers with paneer
Paneer is a basic kind of non-melting cheese used in Indian cuisine. It is a common source of protein and calcium for vegetarian Indians. It is made by curdling hot full-fat milk with an acidic ingredient like lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar. This Indian cheese is used in a variety of appetizers, including:
Spiced Pan-Fried Paneer
This appetizer is ready in 15 minutes. Cut the paneer into thin slices about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, then cut each slice into 1-inch pieces. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil, turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, and salt. Drizzle this spiced oil over the paneer and toss to coat with the spices. Heat a skillet with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and fry the paneer pieces. Serve with coconut rice or basmati rice.
Bang Bang Paneer
Bang Bang Paneer is a quick paneer appetizer with shallow-fried, crispy paneer cubes tossed in a tangy, spicy Bang Bang sauce. It is an easy and delicious paneer starter recipe that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Cut the paneer into small cubes, then mix with soy sauce, cayenne, cornstarch, oil, salt, and pepper. Shallow fry the paneer in a single layer in a skillet or air fryer basket. Drain the excess oil on a paper towel, then drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over the paneer before serving.
Garlic Paneer
Garlic Paneer is a quick and easy appetizer made with Indian cheese, garlic, red chillies, and spices. It is a dry dish that goes well as a side with fried rice or noodles. To make the garlic sauce, blend fresh garlic, red chillies, salt, vinegar, and sugar in a spice grinder to a coarse paste and toss in hot oil. Toss the paneer in the sauce and serve hot as an appetizer or side.
Paneer Pakora
Paneer Pakora is a snack made with gram flour, spices, and Indian cheese. To make this appetizer, dip Indian cottage cheese in spiced gram flour batter and deep-fry until crisp. Serve with mint chutney or red garlic chutney.
Grilled Paneer
Marinate the paneer and skewer it with some fresh vegetables, then bake in the oven. This recipe is a simple way to make delicious grilled paneer without the need for a traditional tandoor oven.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many savoury dishes that can be made with paneer, including:
- Curries such as saag paneer, matar paneer, and paneer butter masala
- Rice dishes such as biryani
- Stir-fries
- Skewers
- Wraps
- Salads
- Snacks such as pakoras, samosas, and kababs
Paneer is a non-melting Indian cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including savoury and sweet dishes, snacks, appetizers, and desserts.
Some sweet dishes that can be made with paneer include:
- Rasmalai
- Kheer
- Paneer jamun
- Sandesh
Paneer is often used in Indian cuisine and goes well with ingredients such as spinach, chickpeas, peas, tomatoes, onions, cashews, garlic, ginger, cardamom, saffron, rose water, and nuts.
