Have you ever come across Mallika’s blog, Quick Indian Cooking? It’s one of my favourites. Not only does she make me laugh with tales of yoga classes and mothers and the Tube and hazily remembered nights out, she also continually posts recipes that I desperately want to try out.
The above Paneer Bhujia was one such recipe and it was heavenly. Seriously, people: you must try this.
Those of you unfamiliar with Indian food may be wondering what paneer is. Similar in taste to ricotta but much denser, paneer is a mild tasting Indian white cheese. Living in London, I doubt very much that Mallika has difficulty in finding an Indian food shop that sells fresh paneer. Up here in Inverness, however, it’s a different matter. The only paneer I’ve found on sale is some dodgy longlife stuff that felt like rubber in my mouth and tasted like… well, nothing. There was only one thing to do: make my own.
And I did. Like making ricotta, the process was very simple and took under an hour. An hour very well spent, I say. 🙂
Home-Made Paneer
(enough for two helpings of Paneer Bhujia)
1 litre full fat milk
4 tblspns white vinegar
- In a heavy based pan, bring the milk up to a boil slowly.
- As soon as the milk begins to boil, add the vinegar, reduce the heat and stir slowly.
- At this point the curds and whey will seperate making the milk look green-ish grey with lumpy white bits. Perfect.
- Line a colander with a tea-towel and pour the mixture into it. Leave for 20 minutes to let the whey drain off.
- Squeeze out as much moisture as possible and shape the cheese into a patty. Tie the cloth with an elastic band around it. Place the cheese parcel on a board with another board on top of it and weigh this latter board down with tins to squeeze out more moisture.
- After another 20 minutes your paneer will be ready. Unwrap and eat immediately or store for up to 24 hours in an airtight container wrapped in the same damp tea-towel.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
That long-life stuff IS dodgy, isn’t it?
Right. Know just what I’m having for my dinner tonight.
this looks so appetising – I must try it soon – I especially like how you use the teatowel – I often get put off these recipes because they ask for fine muslin or cheese cloth or other cloths I don’t have but a tea towel is easy!
I love making my own paneer, there is something quite theraputic about it. Yours looks great.
oooh, I’ve not tried making my own paneer yet. I can’t believe how easy it sounds! I also can’t believe how quick it is. A must try.
So not only did I learn what paneer is, I also learned how to make it. Very cool.
That sounds really good! I have never made cheese at home but that recipe sounds pretty simple. I’ll have to give it a try sometime.
That sounds much easier than I thought it would be, so thanks for the heads-up! I am going to have a look at that blog too. If this is anything to go by, I am going to love it!
I always shy away from paneer. There’s something so obviously chemical about the transformation that I get scared – not being a science minded person – and back away from the delicious possibilities. This is a state of mind that must be addressed: I love palak paneer and would like to make a project of getting it just right.
Lucy – Let me know how it went!
Johanna – I have muslin (torn off my curtains) but wanted to try a teatowel this time. Worked just as well. 🙂
Jules – There is, isn’t there? A real sense of achievement too!
Helen – Ridiculously simple. Ricotta too. Definitely try it out.
Giz – Glad to have pleased. 😉
Katie – Please do. It’s fun. Milk one minute; now cheese! Hurrah!
Holler – It’s a treasure!
Kris – I’m not science minded either and prefer to think of it as magic. Far less scary that way! And palak paneer is one of my favourites too. 🙂
I’ve seen a lot of blog posts about home-made paneer lately… I think this means I should try it as my grocery store only has the long-life variety (and it’s super expensive… your photo of the paneer bhujia looks amazing.
Hi Wendy, not sure how I missed this post! The paneer looks gorgeous and thank you SO much for the lovely mention of my blog. I hope you’re really well, sending much love.