Delicious Paneer Dishes You Can Make At Home

what can I do with paneer

Indian paneer cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a type of fresh, crumbly cheese with a chewy texture and a mild flavour, commonly used in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines. Paneer can be grilled, fried, or simmered in curries, and added to salads, sandwiches, or skewers. It can be coated in sesame seeds or spices and is often served with rice, roti, or naan bread. Some popular paneer dishes include Palak Paneer, Paneer Pasanda, Paneer Butter Masala, and Paneer Makhani.

What can I do with paneer?

Characteristics Values
Type of Food Fresh, crumbly, chewy, unaged cheese with a low-moisture content
Flavour Paneer generally doesn't have much flavour on its own
Preparation Cube, dice, shred, batter, coat, marinate, grill, fry, bake, air fry, pan fry, sauté, spice, simmer, toss, scramble, purée, wrap, stuff, roll, drape, soak, roast, char, griddle
Spices and Seasonings Turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, salt, olive oil, sesame seeds, mint, cilantro, ginger, garlic, tamarind paste, black mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried red chillies, rose water, vetiver essential oil, silver leaf
Accompaniments Rice (coconut, basmati), bread (naan, roti, paratha, phulka, chapatis), wraps, tortillas, noodles, fried rice, chutney (coriander, mint), salsa, avocado, yoghurt, lime, salad, soup, lentils, dahl, quinoa
Dishes Curry, pancakes, wraps, skewers, fritters, pakoras, rolls, sandwiches, cheesecake, stuffed peppers, scrambled paneer (bhurji), chilli paneer, Palak Paneer (Saag Paneer), Paneer Pasanda, Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Lababdar, Achari Paneer, Paneer Makhani, Spicy Schezwan Paneer, Paneer 65, Paneer Do Pyaza

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Paneer curry recipes

Paneer is a fresh, crumbly Indian cheese that is delicious when served in curries. Here are some paneer curry recipes you can try:

Palak Paneer (or Saag Paneer)

This curry is made with spinach, which forms the base of the dish and adds an earthy flavour and a vibrant green colour. Other ingredients include ginger, cardamom, and paneer. This recipe can be made in just 30 minutes and can be served with rice or naan bread.

Paneer Butter Masala

This is a creamy and rich curry made with paneer, spices, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and butter. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes and can be made in under 30 minutes. The curry base is made by sauteing onions, tomatoes, and cashews with spices, then blending them to form a silky puree. This is then simmered with butter and spices, and finally, cubed paneer and cream are added.

Dhaba-Style Paneer Curry

Dhaba-style paneer curry is a simple, flavoursome, and delicious curry that can be made in under 45 minutes. The recipe uses less oil and can be served with plain rice, Jeera rice, ghee rice, or bread such as roti, paratha, naan, or chapati. To make the dish, paneer pieces are marinated and fried, then simmered in a curry base made with grated or minced onions and tomatoes, and various spices.

Spicy Schezwan Paneer

This is a popular Indian-Chinese dish made with paneer and a spicy and flavourful Schezwan sauce. The sauce is made with Schezwan peppers and can be served with vegetable noodles or fried rice.

Bread Paneer Rolls

These are made with crumbled paneer, peas, spices, and herbs. The spiced paneer is stuffed into bread and rolled into cigars, then shallow fried, pan-fried, baked, or deep-fried until crisp. They can be served hot with tea or chutney.

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How to cook paneer

Paneer is a fresh, crumbly cheese used in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines. It is made from cow's or buffalo milk and has a low-moisture content, which means it retains its firm and springy texture even when cooked.

Frying

Paneer can be pan-fried, grilled, or shallow fried. Before frying, the paneer can be coated in a mixture of olive oil and spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, and salt. The paneer should be fried for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. It can also be coated in sesame seeds before frying.

Barbeque or griddle pan

Paneer can be wrapped in a tangy paste of coriander and mint and quickly cooked on a barbecue or griddle pan.

Marination

Paneer can be marinated before grilling to form a charred crust. It can also be marinated and fried before being simmered in a curry.

Curry

Paneer is commonly used in curries such as palak paneer (paneer in spinach curry), paneer butter masala, and paneer makhani. To make a curry, paneer is often fried before being folded into a gravy. The gravy can be made with boiled or pureed tomatoes, cashew nuts, onions, and various spices.

Skewers

Paneer can be cubed and threaded onto skewers with vegetables and grilled. These skewers can be served with naan bread, rice, and mango chutney.

Wraps

Marinated paneer can be wrapped in a warm flour tortilla with peppers and onions.

Pakoras

Paneer can be used to make pakoras by frying small pieces of paneer with a little coriander chutney in the centre.

Sandwiches

Paneer can be used to make stuffed sandwiches, such as paneer pasanda, which is served with a creamy and rich gravy.

Salads

Fried paneer can be added to a salad, such as a tossed green salad or a crisp salad with cilantro lime yogurt.

Pancakes

Paneer can be added to pancakes and served with mango chutney.

Scramble

Paneer can be shredded and made into a scramble, similar to a tofu scramble but saucier.

Appetizers

Paneer 65 is a crispy and moderately spiced appetizer made by tossing fried paneer in tempering spices, curry leaves, and curd.

Cheesecake

Paneer can be used to make a savoury cheesecake, such as a ghee-soaked paneer cheesecake with cashews and caramel.

Spiced paneer

Spiced paneer can be made by coating paneer in a mixture of olive oil and spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, and paprika. The paneer is then pan-fried until golden brown.

Storage and reheating

Paneer dishes are best served immediately, but leftovers can be reheated by pan-frying them again.

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Paneer in salads

There are several ways to incorporate paneer into a salad. Here are some ideas:

Grilled paneer salad

This salad is perfect for warmer weather. Coat cubes of paneer, sweet peppers, and onions with a cilantro-mint chutney and grill to perfection. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before serving. This salad is low carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, grain-free, and sugar-free.

Paneer vegetable salad

This salad is super healthy and ready in just 15 minutes. It is made with paneer, cucumber, carrot, tomato, and onion. You can also add black grapes for a burst of flavor. For the dressing, use white vinegar, lemon juice, and oregano or your favorite herbs.

Paneer salad with lemon, honey-ginger dressing

This salad is made with pan-fried paneer and vegetables tossed in a lemon, honey-ginger dressing. It is easy and quick to make and perfect for when you are looking for a light meal. To make it more kid-friendly, skip the chili flakes and add extra fruit. You can also add avocado slices on top.

Crispy paneer salad

For a crispy paneer salad, coat cubes of paneer with crunchy sesame seeds and fry. Then, wrap the paneer with a crisp salad for a filling vegetarian meal.

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Make your own paneer

Making paneer at home is easy and rewarding. This fresh Indian cheese is made with just two ingredients: milk and an acidic ingredient. The milk curdles and separates into solids (paneer) and whey. The whey is a protein-rich by-product that can be used to enrich dishes such as dough, stews, and soups.

To make paneer, start by bringing 2 litres of milk to a simmer in a large pot over low heat. Stir the milk occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Once the milk reaches a simmer, add your acidic ingredient (such as lemon juice or vinegar) and stir. The milk should immediately begin to curdle. If it doesn't, gradually add a little more acid until it does.

Once the milk has completely curdled, turn off the heat. To prevent the paneer from cooking further and becoming hard, you can add some cold water or ice cubes to the pot. Alternatively, transfer the paneer to a colander lined with muslin cloth and rinse it under cold running water. Ensure that there is no excess whey remaining in the milk solids before setting it aside to drain.

The texture of your paneer will depend on how you choose to set it. For a loose paneer, simply strain the curds without pressing. For a soft, spreadable paneer, hang the curds for a few hours. If you prefer a crumblier texture, gently press the curds with saucers topped with unopened food tins. For an even firmer paneer, double the weight and press it overnight in the fridge. Store your paneer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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Paneer snacks

Paneer is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of snack recipes. Here are some ideas for quick and easy paneer snacks:

Paneer Skewers

A popular choice for a paneer snack is to make spiced paneer skewers. Cut the paneer into cubes and marinate it in a mixture of olive oil, turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, and salt. Thread the paneer onto skewers, alternating with vegetables such as peppers and onions. Grill the skewers until the paneer is golden brown and slightly charred. Serve with naan bread, rice, or warm flour tortillas for a tasty and filling snack.

Paneer Pakoras

For a crispy and indulgent snack, try making paneer pakoras. Cut the paneer into small pieces and coat them in a spiced batter. Fry the pakoras in hot oil until golden brown. Serve with a coriander chutney for a delicious and flavourful snack.

Paneer Rolls

Paneer rolls are a great snack option and can be made in a variety of ways. One option is to crumble the paneer and mix it with peas, spices, and herbs. Stuff the mixture into bread and roll it up tightly. These rolls can be shallow fried, pan-fried, baked, or deep-fried until crisp. Serve them hot with tea or chutney for a satisfying snack.

Paneer Sandwiches

Paneer sandwiches are a quick and easy snack option. Simply fry or grill the paneer and place it on bread with your choice of vegetables and sauces. For an extra indulgent option, try a paneer-stuffed sandwich with a creamy and rich gravy filling. These sandwiches are a great way to enjoy paneer on the go.

Paneer Salad

For a lighter snack option, paneer salad is a refreshing choice. Cut the paneer into cubes and pan-fry them with your choice of spices. Toss the paneer into a salad with crisp vegetables and a tangy dressing. You can also add fruits such as avocado or mango for a sweet and savoury contrast.

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