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How to make fresh paneer

How to make fresh paneer
Paneer is India's version of cottage or farmer's cheese. It is generally a bit more dense than other cottage cheeses. It is closer to Mexican queso blanco than Ethiopian ayib or Italian ricotta.

It is very simple to make, only requires two ingredients that you probably already have at home, and takes only a few minutes active and a few hours passive making time.

Once it is made you can cook it in a variety of dishes, or store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
 
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Step 1Gather your tools and ingredients.

Gather your tools and ingredients.
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HARDWARE:
- One large pot, preferably with a thick base. I am using an eight quart pressure cooker, without the lid.
- One medium to large colander.
- One piece of cheesecloth large enough to fully line the colander. I double it if the weave looks too loose. If you think normal cottage cheese would slip through the holes, double it. You can also use loose weave muslin.
- One long-handled wooden spoon or latex spatula.


SOFTWARE:
One gallon of whole milk.
About six to eight tablespoons of lemon juice. You can use vinegar in a pinch, or so I am told. I have never tried it so I couldn't tell you if it would be the same amount as the lemon juice.

This recipe is very flexible. You can cut it in half easily, but I would still use at least four tablespoons of lemon juice for a half gallon of milk.
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26 comments
Apr 29, 2012. 8:46 PMnanaverm says:
Why Step #6? Is there a problem just allowing whey to stay on the curds before pressing? A cheese curd recipe I just saw omitted this, didn't bring the milk to a boil, and the result stayed clumped together better. But maybe the flavor was different, too, since your recipe cooks much hotter.

Thanks.
Jan 4, 2011. 11:56 AMstrmrnnr says:
I researched this a bit and see that some recipes call for vinegar as the acid rather than Lemon juice. I am thinking that you could use different flavoured vinegars to give the cheese different flavours. All are in the region of 5% including the juice so the amount should remain the same.
Oct 9, 2010. 2:02 PMarora-vesper says:
I keep ending up with curds that are very, very small. Any idea what could cause this? The first time I tried, it worked, but every time after that... too small...
Jan 15, 2009. 5:48 PMcandiced says:
Can I use a lower fat milk, like 1 or 2 percent? And does anyone know if the whey has any nutritional value and how I can use it? It seems like a waste to throw it away.
Feb 16, 2009. 12:45 AMkill-a-watt says:
Feb 16, 2009. 12:06 PMTheCaptain says:
You watch Good Eats too, dont you?
Mar 3, 2008. 7:38 AMsciamannikoo says:
Wonderful! I used to do that when I was young, teached from my mother, theached, in turn, from his mother. We used to do that, to have a fast and poor-like breakfast: - put the paneer (we used to call that ricotta as well) in a cup - put also some whey (the greenish liquid you get at the end) in the cup (not much: isn't really healthy, but give the right taste ;) - add some hot milk - add some pieces of bread (old hard bread would stick the tradition) - eat it If I'm not wrong we used to add also a pinch of salt before foaming the milk (don't know exactly why). I still remember the taste of that despite so many years passed from the last one I tried :) ...
Apr 18, 2008. 5:04 AMwizodd says:
Salt is a flavor enhancer. Used to make this all the time when I lived in Tucson and we had milk goats--always wanted to make a hard cheese, but it always got eaten at this stage by hungry kids & others. :) You can add spices to the final step if you like....
Mar 4, 2008. 6:59 AMbooker207 says:
I made this last night and had a bit this morning. It has a lightly nutty flavor, so I probably scorched the milk when cooking it. It's a little bland as is, so I'm waiting on that Saag recipe you mentioned. :) Till then I might cube and cook it a bit with some seasoning. Thanks for the great instructable! ~Matt Booker
Mar 5, 2008. 5:53 AMbooker207 says:
Thanks! A nice touch adding recipes for garam and ghee.
Mar 4, 2008. 7:52 AMbbkf says:
i love paneer and saag paneer is my most favourite dinner ever!! thanks fr putting this up and i look forward to making my own saag paneer once that's up.
Mar 4, 2008. 1:55 PMidontcare says:
really? i think paneer butter masala is the best i love paneer too
Mar 4, 2008. 11:39 AMbbkf says:
hurrah! thanks loads. i however am already in the future (uk) so i'll look forward to seeing it tomorrow.
Mar 3, 2008. 3:17 PMGorillazMiko says:
I agree with everything Brennn10 said. Great job, complete steps, absolutely just awesome pictures, yay for lemon juice and Dixie plates! :-)
Mar 3, 2008. 3:44 AMBrennn10 says:
Great job! Complete steps, and awesome pictures!

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