If there was another name for Paneer, it would be versatile. This healthy food item can be prepared and used in as many varieties as you can think of. You can almost go wild with your creations of it. Just like there is a version of different food items, a paneer recipe varies in terms of its preparation, from one person to the other. If you look up the menu at most of the North Indian restaurants, you’ll find maximum varieties of Paneer in the starters and gravies column. It’s a favourite one, especially in the eastern and northern parts of India.
Why are paneer recipes so popular?
Paneer is the one food item that is healthy, tasty, and also one which can be used in preparations ranging from starters, and sides, to gravies and sweets. This makes it supremely popular. Also, the number of permutations and combinations that can be formed using paneer are countless. It is an easily available food item which is time-saving and can be prepared nicely at. All these factors make paneer very popular and also a favourite of many. Paneer recipes are delightful at the core.
Different variety of paneer dishes
Paneer dishes come in many varieties to satiate your taste buds. One might probably lose count of the number of varieties when it comes to paneer dishes. Paneer paratha, paneer tikka, paneer butter masala, tawa paneer, paneer Manchurian are just a few of the paneer varieties to name. Depending on the spice meter or the kind of texture – crispy or soft, the ingredients, the time at hand, you can decide on the paneer dish.
How to make paneer at home
One of the best things about paneer is that you can make it at home. You only need three ingredients to make it- milk, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Boil fresh full cream milk. Boil the milk and keep stirring it. Ensure that you do not end up burning the bottom of the vessel. Add some lemon juice and don’t stir it. The milk will begin to curdle and if you want, you can add some more lemon juice as per your requirement. The milk will separate into whey and curd. Take a cheesecloth and drain off the curdled milk. Rinse it with cold water and squeeze it to take out the remaining water. Take a medium-sized strainer and what you get will be fresh paneer or cottage cheese. Shape the paneer into a tight block and keep a heavy object over it. Let it sit for 20 minutes, after which it is ready to use.
Best paneer gravy recipes
Here are some of the best paneer gravy recipes that you must try in case you haven’t.
1. Paneer Butter Masala – A super creamy butter and a milk-based dish made using a gravy of onions, tomatoes, cashew nuts, spices, herbs. This is one of the favourite paneer dishes in North India.
2. Paneer Lababdar- Made using a rich gravy filled with cashews, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and cardamom, this is among one of the most delicious paneer dishes.
3. Kadhai Paneer- An easy paneer recipe made by cooking paneer along with capsicum or bell peppers, and lots of flavourful spices.
4. Paneer Tikka Masala- Grilled paneer tikka (marinated in yogurt and spices) is mixed in a rich creamy gravy with tomato and onion.
Best paneer recipes for starters
Here are some of the best paneer recipes you can decide to make for starters:
5. Paneer Tikka- One of the most popular vegetarian starters, paneer is marinated in yogurt and flavoured spices that include salt, black pepper, cumin powder, chilli powder and coriander powder and then grilled to perfection.
6. Chilli Paneer- This is an Indo-Chinese dish. The paneer is wrapped in cornflour and fried, served with a garnishing of spring onions. It is usually eaten with vegetable noodles or fried rice.
7. Paneer 65- A very popular dish in South India, the paneer is tossed crisp in curry leaves, curd and tempering spices. It is a vegetarian adaption to South Indian Chicken 65.
8. Paneer Manchurian- The paneer is batter fried until crispy. It is then tossed in Manchurian sauce.
Paneer recipes for snacks and sides
When you have guests over or plan to make anything for snacks at home, you can choose from the recipes given below that are easy and quick to make:
9. Paneer Sandwich- A sauce or chutney as a base, grated paneer mixed with spices is pressed between the bread. If you like vegetables, you can add them as well.
10. Paneer Popcorn- A kid-friendly snack in which tiny chunks of paneer are wrapped in batter and bread and then fried till they turn golden in colour. Serve these with green chutney or tomato sauce.
11. Paneer Pakoda- A quick snack, wrapped in gram flour batter with a mix of cumin seeds, chilli powder, and coriander powder. The paneer is then fried and served with mint chutney or tomato sauce.
12. Dahi Kebab- Very popular among the paneer dishes, the kebabs are made using gram flour, paneer, yogurt and spices. They are rounded and toasted on the pan and best enjoyed with mint chutney.
Simple paneer recipes
Some of the basic paneer recipes that you will find being made in most Indian homes are:
13. Paneer Bhurji- Another easy recipe, the paneer is mashed with hands or a masher and mixed with the basic spices.
14. Palak Paneer- A colourful and delicious combination of spinach gravy with diced paneer cubes.
15. Paneer Paratha- A great option for breakfast. Grated paneer flavoured with spices and coriander is stuffed into a flatbread made with whole wheat and cooked on a pan with ghee or butter.
16. Matar Paneer- Add frozen peas and fresh paneer to the onion tomato gravy along with all the basic spices. Add a little cream towards the end to add that extra flavour.
Popular paneer dishes
Here’s a look at some of the most famous paneer dishes that people like to eat.
17. Paneer Biryani- The paneer is marinated in aromatic spices and cooked on low heat with partially cooked basmati rice.
18. Paneer Fried Rice- Yet again an Indo-Chinese dish, sautéed paneer is added to fried rice, giving it a healthy twist.
19. Paneer Makhani- The gravy is made using pureed tomatoes along with cashews, lots of spices and kasuri methi. This is one of the most popular Punjabi recipes with Paneer.
20. Schezwan Paneer- This is also an Indian Chinese dish in which paneer is batter fried and mixed in schezwan sauce which gives it a tangy and flavourful taste.
Paneer is a very versatile ingredient used in Indian foods. It can be used in any meal as it is protein-rich and delicious. However, just like everyone has their preferences for food, everyone has their favourite version of paneer. Some only like Paneer Butter Masala while a few are fond of every recipe around Paneer. So make your pick and enjoy its taste through these easy paneer recipes mentioned above.
FAQ
1. Which is better? Homemade Paneer or Paneer available at stores?
Anything that is freshly made is of course better than one that is packaged. Also, the paneer is so simple to make at home. So if you have the time to make it, you can do so at home.
2. What are the snacks that can be made from paneer?
There are many snacks like Paneer Manchurian, Paneer 65, Paneer Chilli, and Garlic Paneer.