I mentioned on another forum I visit that I was going to make Ricotta Cheese, back when I first started making it. Someone over there mentioned Paneer, which I'd never heard of, but it sounded a lot more complicated than the Ricotta, so I promptly forgot about it. Yesterday, I wanted to make another batch of Ricotta, to use in an Easter dessert, and so while I was up here, I decided to look up the Ricotta recipe, to ensure that I remembered the proportions of ingredients. While I was there, I happened to see a recipe for Paneer Cheese, and when I glanced at it I noticed it's basically the same as the Ricotta recipe I've been using, other than the last few steps. Now I want to make Paneer, but probably not for a while, since I just made the Ricotta, and used up all of my milk and lemons in the process. I like the idea of making the Paneer and having it on hand so I can grab a few squares when I want a snack. I might also try out a few Indian recipes at some point, and it would come in handy for that. I'm hoping to make Mozzarella in the future, as well as some other cheeses, but for now I'm keeping it simple. Here's the Paneer recipe, in case anyone's interested.
That looks pretty simple to make, and I think that I will try making a batch of this and see how it turns out, @Diane Lane . I like the Mexican al fresco cheese that they have at Kroger's; but it is expensive and I don't buy it unless it is on a closeout sale there. This seems similar to the yo-cheese that you can make from yogurt, which is actually more like cream cheese aferwards. If you have a yogurt maker, you can make your own yogurt pretty cheaply, and then you just let it drain in the cheesecloth overnight (in the refrigerator) and the next day, you have a nice soft cheese. You an also do this with store-bought yogurt; but it is mostly so expensive that you might just was well buy the cream cheese in the first place.
I never make cheese , but I know Paneer cheese very well. It';s used a lot in Indian cooking so it's always on an Indian restaurant menu.. One of my husbands' favourite dishes on an Indian menu is Mater Paneer..... http://www.spiceupthecurry.com/mutter-paneer-matar-paneer/
I love cheese! My wife made a batch every day or two, during the year we "roughed" it in a cabin in Northern Arizona. We had a good Nubian milk-goat, whose milk was used exclusively, cheese and little loaves of bread baked daily, delicious! We had only wood to use for energy (though, I used propane to supply light using a converted Coleman lamp, hanging above our table. No electricity or running water. No phone service. The best year of my life! Laid-off by my company during the Reagan Recession, called back to work a year later, offered hogwash about wanting to give me "first shot" at a new position in the Plant. Truth was, the machines I had designed and built were giving them fits they knew I could easily work out. I lasted 6 months, and walked away.
I'm particularly fond of palak paneer, which is based on spinach. Unusually for me, it's a North Indian dish - I tend to prefer South Indian dishes, which are nearly all vegetarian. Palak paneer is very popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and I had a really delicious one in a Pakistani restaurant in Copenhagen last year. Here's a link to a BBC show, where we have a palak paneer.with a slight twist.
Yum, Tom, I love spinach. I'm watching this thread, so will definitely look at that video when I get ready to make some. I love the idea of boosting up the nutritional value of the cheese with some spinach. @Yvonne Smith I don't have a yogurt maker. I've never tried making it with or without a maker, but it's something that sounds interesting. I made a bare bones run to Walmart the other day, and didn't pick up any cream cheese, but it's been a long time since I've had any, so I'll probably get some soon. I did see mentioned that this paneer is similar to the Mexican white cheese, so you probably would like it. Thanks, @Holly Saunders, I'll check that out, as well. I've never had Indian food, although I have had some homemade curry that I really liked. A friend across the country makes it, but I know she spends hours on it. I'm all about the quick and dirty recipes these days.
Oh no need to spend hours on it Diane.. there's some really quick curry recipes...here's one using the Paneer..but you can choose to just use anything in it..meat or veggies.. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/106159/basic-indian-curry-with-paneer/
Thanks, Holly, quick is always good. I'll check it out and see if I have what it calls for, since I'm out of home cooked food. Apparently it's time to make something again . I'm sure I have something here that will make an interesting meal.
The idea of curry as long as you add some spice, is that it's really a mish mash of anything you want to put in...an Indian Pauper dish really... good luck hope you find something you can throw together..