Paneer a good source of protein is commonly used in Indian cuisine. Paneer also referred as cottage cheese is a non – aged cheese and is being made in India for generations. How to make Paneer.
Unlike other cheeses which uses rennet for coagulation- preparation of paneer includes – heat coagulation of milk by adding any one of these food acids- critic acid, vinegar, lemon juice or curd. Curdling of milk results in light greenish white tinge of whey -use it to knead dough which results in softer puris and rotis.
MY INTAKE ON SOFTER PANEER – Since my home science days I have made paneer with all of the above mentioned food acids.
- Paneer made with citric acid has a very clean milky flavor.
- Paneer made with vinegar results in a much thicker curdling of milk, but use the exact measurements.
- Paneer prepared using lemon juice has a mild sour touch.
- Lastly paneer made with curd makes softer paneer.
Making paneer can be a daunting task for some but if followed the right method its a breeze and it tastes good. ALWAYS use full cream milk to make paneer. How to make Paneer
RULE OF THUMB TO GOOD PANEER IS – BOIL – STIR- STRAIN.
BOIL- Make sure the milk is fully boiled before stirring in the food acids.
STIR- Once boiled immediately stir in food acids.When adding the food acids, stir milk gently as it may break the forming curds.
STRAIN – As soon as it curdles take it off the gas and strain. Paneer will loose its softness and texture if boiled past its coagulation.
INGREDIENTS –
4 cups OR 1 Litre of Full cream milk
1/8 cup OR 2 Tablespoon of vinegar
Muslin cloth to strain the curds
METHOD –
Always use whole milk or full cream milk to make paneer. Reason- Whole milk is much richer in taste and texture. Boil milk in a heavy bottom pan.
When the milk becomes frothy and bubbles start to form on top that’s the time to add vinegar/lemon juice.
Pour in vinegar/lemon juice. How to make Paneer
Slowly mix vinegar/lemon juice in the milk and milk will curdle. Take it off the flame and keep stirring and you can see the whey getting separated.
When the whey/liquid in curdle milk turns to pale green in color, take the pan off the flame.
Meanwhile line a strainer with muslin cloth.
Strain paneer into that muslin cloth. How to make Paneer
Wash paneer under cold water to get rid of vinegar/lemon juice taste.
Squeeze paneer and allow the water to drain.
You can also hang paneer/chenna for 20- 30 minutes until the water stops dripping.
Remove paneer from cloth. Paneer should feel crumbly but moist. How to make Paneer
Time to press – With the help of a spoon give it a smooth round shape, fold the muslin cloth around it and weigh it down by placing a heavy weight over it. In my case I am using a puri maker. Allow it to set for about an hour. Once firm like a block, paneer is ready- cut it in cubes or triangles and store it in fridge or freeze it for future use.
FACTS ABOUT PANEER
1. There are many types of cheese that are made in India on a small scale, but paneer is the only cheese which can be compared to Western cheese in terms of texture. Good paneer can be made from milk which contains 5 % more fat than normal milk. Therefore, buffalo milk is more suitable for preparing paneer.
2. Paneer is the most popular form of cheese that is prepared in Indian homes and used generously in cooking and confectioneries like rasgullas and sandesh.
3. If you want to cut paneer into a particular shape then place the paneer in a rectangular tray and it will take that shape while setting. In this way it will be easier to cut into squares, triangles, etc.
4. Grated paneer can be used to decorate a simple dish and make it look quite tempting. Even a paneer burji can make your breakfast more lively.
5. Homemade paneer not only looks delicious, but it tastes delicious, too. No wonder it has carved a niche for itself in the vegetarian world and the soft color of paneer heightens the colors of other ingredients.
Jyothi Chandani says
Hi 🙂 so everytime I make paneer I get very very less yield 🙁 it’s heartbreaking hahaha. Any tips ? Is it because I add lemon juice little by little… Or maybe I need to add more…
Ruchi says
Yes, that’s the possible reason.
Make sure the milk is well boiled. Then pour in the mentioned quantity of lemon juice – all in one go.
This will give you great results.
Jyothi says
Right, okay 🙂 will do that next time onwards. Thank you !!!!😃
Ruchi says
My pleasure. 🙂
Bee says
Thanks for this great recipe and also the pictures! I really thought that making paneer is very difficult but it was actually quite simple. I only have one problem though: when I make paneer it turns out to be very crumbly. It tastes great and it’s also super soft but when I want to cook it in gravy or even when I just want to cut it in cubes it starts to crumble. On the last picture above, the paneer looks really smooth and not crumbly at all. Do you have an idea what I might have done wrong? I’m using lemon juice to curdle the milk and I’m also only using full fat milk!
Ruchi says
Thanks for sharing your experience with me Bee. You have followed the recipe to the T. Paneer needs to be pressed under a solid weight to obtain a firm block.
Paneer in the last pic is pressed under a solid weight for an hour, chilled and then cut into cubes. 🙂
Bee says
Thank you, Ruchi! I used to press it but I think I didn’t do it for an hour. I will try that next time along with a heavier weight! Thank you so much! 🙂
Ruchi says
You are welcome, Bee. 🙂
avantika says
how much curd/lemon to use for curdling the milk?
Also do we need to boil the Homogenised milk as well for making curd or paneer?
RK says
Thanks for stopping by Avantika!! To make paneer and curd, milk needs to be boiled. Use 2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to curdle milk.
A regular visitor says
Another successful recipe from your site. Now I am all in for homemade paneer. Can you freeze this panner for future use? I have prepared a huge batch. Some bright and clear pictures will be really helpful Ruchi! Thanks for all your wonderful collection.
RK says
Thanks for trying out the recipe. Glad you liked it! Yes, you can freeze paneer. Store it in an airtight container or plastic zip lock bags and freeze it.
Renu says
This was so easy to make, and the texture was amazing. I used vinegar as you stated and strained and it through a strainer. Result white grainy Paneer. Thanks!
RK says
Thanks Renu!
Rupali says
Really a wonderful paneer recipe. Thank you for sharing such an easy recipe with step by step process of making homemade paneer. Pictures um sorry to say not too good but explanation is very very informative! I just tried it in my home today. So firm and so tasty. Thanks a lot.
RK says
You are welcome Rupali. Glad to hear that and will surely try to update the pictures 🙂
Sudha says
Have tried many ways of making paneer but none sucessful. Tried your way n got super duper paneer. Thank u. You are the best.
Sudha
RK says
You are welcome Sudha! Happy to know that you got a perfect paneer 🙂
Priya khanna says
My mom referred me your website and I am liking it. My first ever homemade paneer came out perfect. Thanks Ruchi
RK says
You are very welcome Priya!!
Prachi says
Great way of explaining. Thanks Ruchi and my paneer was superb!
RK says
You are welcome Prachi. Nothing can beat a homemade Paneer 🙂
sandhya says
Paneer was a success, thanks Ruchi great tutorial.
RK says
Thanks Sandhya!!