Emilie Meyer
Indian cuisine is famous for its use of paneer, a type of fresh cheese made from cow's or buffalo milk. Its firm texture and mild flavour make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from curries to sandwiches. One of the most popular paneer dishes is palak paneer, where the cheese is cooked in a spinach curry. Paneer can also be marinated and grilled, added to salads, or used as a filling for snacks such as pakoras and sandwiches. For a simple dish, paneer can be fried and added to a tomato-based gravy with spices and vegetables. Its ability to hold its form makes it an excellent vegetarian alternative to meat in dishes like butter paneer masala.
What can I make with paneer cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Main, side, snack, appetizer, breakfast |
| Cuisine | Indian, Indo-Chinese, Western |
| Cooking Method | Fry, grill, bake, toast, simmer, marinate |
| Base/Main Ingredient | Rice, bread, roti, naan, vegetables, broth, salad, yogurt, chutney |
| Flavor Profile | Spicy, savory, salty, smoky, earthy, sweet |
| Texture | Crispy, soft, crumbly, springy, melt-in-the-mouth |
| Dietary Restrictions | Vegetarian, vegan (with tofu) |
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What You'll Learn
Snacks: pakoras, popcorn, pancakes, cheese toast
Pakoras
Pakoras are a popular evening snack in North Indian cuisine. To make paneer pakoras, cut the paneer to your desired size and sprinkle with red chilli powder, garam masala, and chaat masala. Toss the paneer in a bowl and set aside. Next, heat oil in a deep pan on medium heat. In a separate bowl, add besan (gram flour), rice flour, salt, ajwain, red chilli powder, and ginger-chilli paste. Add water gradually and make a thick but free-flowing batter. Dip the paneer pieces in the batter, then gently slide them into the hot oil. Fry until golden and serve hot with green chutney or red chilli chutney.
Popcorn
Paneer popcorn is a crunchy and quick snack, perfect for kids. Cut the paneer into bite-sized cubes, then coat them in a batter made with flour, salt, ginger-garlic paste, pepper, herbs, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Roll the coated paneer cubes in breadcrumbs and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and add the breaded paneer cubes, frying until crunchy. Serve with red chilli sauce, schezwan sauce, or a yogurt dip.
Pancakes
Paneer pancakes are a soft, light, and healthy breakfast or snack option. To make the batter, mix together paneer, eggs, and whole wheat flour. Heat a skillet on low heat and melt some butter. Pour the batter onto the pan and cook each side until done. Serve the pancakes with fruit and honey or maple syrup.
Cheese Toast
Paneer cheese toast is a delicious and cheesy snack. Make spicy bhurji with Indian cottage cheese and top it with mozzarella cheese. Place the mixture between two slices of bread and grill it in a sandwich toaster or oven. Serve immediately.
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Curries: palak paneer, matar paneer, chilli paneer
There are many dishes that can be made with paneer cheese, including curries such as palak paneer, matar paneer, and chilli paneer.
Palak Paneer
Palak paneer is a popular Indian vegetarian dish consisting of paneer (Indian cheese) in a smooth, creamy, and delicious spinach gravy. To make palak paneer, spinach leaves are blanched and pureed. This spinach puree is then cooked with spices, onions, and tomatoes until a thick curry-like consistency is achieved. Finally, paneer is added and simmered in the sauce. For a restaurant-style touch, cream is often added, and some people also add milk for a unique flavor. Palak paneer can be served with fluffy basmati rice, paratha, roti, butter naan, jeera rice, or ghee rice.
Matar Paneer
Matar paneer is a delicious and creamy curry made with paneer and green peas. To make the gravy, onions and tomatoes are sauteed with some spices, then cooled and blended into a smooth paste. This paste is then spiced and simmered with water until it reaches a thick consistency. Green peas and paneer are then added to this curry base. Matar paneer can be served with naan, roti, or rice.
Chilli Paneer
Chilli paneer is an Indo-Chinese appetizer where crisp batter-fried paneer is tossed in a slightly sweet, spicy, hot, and tangy chilli sauce. It can be made with a dry, semi-dry, or gravy consistency. To make chilli paneer, paneer is coated in a batter made with corn flour, all-purpose flour, salt, red chilli powder, pepper powder, and water. The paneer is then fried until golden and tossed in a sauce made with garlic, green chillies, chilli sauce, soya sauce, and vinegar. Chilli paneer can be served as an appetizer or with rice, noodles, or roti.
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Appetizers: paneer tikka, paneer 65, paneer butter masala
Appetizers: Paneer Tikka, Paneer 65, and Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer cheese is a versatile ingredient used in many Indian dishes. Here are three delicious appetizer ideas:
Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka is a popular vegetarian appetizer in Indian restaurants. It is made by marinating Indian cheese (paneer) in a spiced yogurt mixture, along with vegetables like bell peppers and onions. The marinated paneer and vegetables are then grilled to perfection, resulting in a smoky aroma and flavour. For a more authentic experience, the paneer tikka can be grilled in a tandoor (clay oven). However, it can also be prepared at home using an oven, air fryer, or stovetop.
To make the marinade, you can follow these steps:
- Create a fine paste from ginger and garlic.
- Add roasted besan or sattu (roasted gram flour) to enhance the flavour and help the marinade adhere to the paneer.
- Mix in oil, salt, and additional spices to taste.
- Include capsicum and onions as the vegetables of choice.
- Carefully add cubed paneer to the mixture and gently coat it with the marinade.
- Refrigerate the marinated paneer and vegetables for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
Once grilled, the paneer tikka can be brushed with butter and served with various chutneys, such as mint, coriander, or green chutney. It can also be served with chaat masala and lemon juice for added flavour.
Paneer 65
Paneer 65 is a crispy and moderately spiced appetizer adapted from the popular South Indian chicken 65 dish. It is made by tossing crisp paneer in tempering spices, curry leaves, and curd. The tempering step is optional but adds a spicy and garlicky flavour to the dish.
To make Paneer 65, follow these steps:
- Create a paste by mixing red chilli powder, garlic paste, sugar, salt, vinegar or lemon juice, and water.
- Heat oil in a wok and add chopped garlic, green chillies, and curry leaves. Fry until fragrant.
- Add the spice paste to the wok and cook until the oil separates from the sauce.
- Coat the paneer pieces with the batter and gently place them in the hot oil, ensuring they don't stick together.
- Fry the paneer in batches until crisp and golden on both sides.
- Optionally, fry the curry leaves and green chillies separately in the hot oil until crisp.
Paneer 65 can be served as a side dish or evening snack, pairing well with masala tea or filter coffee.
Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer Butter Masala, also known as butter paneer, is a rich and creamy curry dish. It is a popular choice in Indian restaurants and can be easily recreated at home. The dish consists of soft paneer cubes dunked in a silky, flavourful curry made with spices, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and butter.
To make Paneer Butter Masala:
- Sauté onions, tomatoes, and cashews with spices, then blend them into a smooth puree.
- Simmer the puree with butter and spices to create the butter masala curry base.
- Add cubed paneer to the curry base, along with cream, and simmer until cooked.
Paneer Butter Masala is typically served with butter naan, roti, chapati, or plain fluffy Basmati Rice. It can also be enjoyed with Jeera Rice or ghee rice for a more flavourful option.
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Salads: grilled paneer skewers, paneer with chutney
Paneer is a versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes, including salads. One option is to make a grilled paneer skewer salad. This can be done by cutting the paneer into cubes and threading them onto skewers, alternating with vegetables such as peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The skewers can then be grilled on a stovetop, in an oven, or on a barbecue.
Another option for a paneer salad is to simply pan-fry the cheese and toss it with vegetables and a dressing. This version of the salad includes fruit, such as apples and grapes, and a lemon, honey, and ginger dressing. It is important to cut the paneer and vegetables into similarly sized pieces to ensure a good texture and taste.
A third option is to make a Tandoori paneer salad. This involves marinating cubed paneer in a creamy, tandoori-inspired yoghurt sauce with spices, lemon juice, and oil. After a few hours, the paneer and marinade are cooked in a pan until golden brown. The salad is made by layering chopped kale, the cooked paneer, and vegetables, and drizzling with mint raita.
Paneer can also be served with chutney as part of a salad. One option is to make a simple chutney with coriander and a little lemon juice. The paneer can be cubed and either grilled or pan-fried, and then served on a bed of salad leaves with the chutney as a dressing. Another option is to make a mint raita to serve with the salad, which can be made by blending yoghurt, mint, and lemon juice.
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Main dishes: broccoli and paneer, paneer with rice and root vegetables
Main dishes: broccoli and paneer
A flavourful vegetarian main, this broccoli and paneer dish is ready in under an hour. First, fry cubes of paneer in oil until lightly browned. Separately, cook broccoli florets in a silky coconut sauce flavoured with ginger and garlic. Add the fried paneer to the broccoli and sauce, and serve with naan bread or roti.
Paneer with rice and root vegetables
This dish has a real 'wow factor' and is served with built-in side dishes. Layer a paneer-and-tomato mixture with basmati rice, root vegetables, and a verdant cilantro sauce, then cap the whole thing with a puff pastry crown.
Other main dish ideas
- Mattar paneer: Indian peas with paneer cheese, served with brown rice on the side.
- Palak paneer: spinach with paneer, served over rice.
- Saag paneer: a flavourful veggie curry with spinach, ginger, and cardamom, served with rice or naan bread.
- Paneer with ground turkey: make turkey and paneer meatballs or a shepherd's pie.
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Frequently asked questions
Some easy-to-make paneer recipes include paneer cheese toast, paneer pakora, and paneer tikka.
If you're feeling creative, you can try making a ghee-soaked paneer cheesecake, paneer-stuffed bell peppers, or a paneer and chickpea fry with onion pickle garnish.
For healthier options, you can pan-fry or grill the paneer and use it in dishes like Palak Paneer (paneer in spinach curry), or Spicy Schezwan Paneer, which is an Indian-Chinese dish made with a spicy and flavorful sauce.
