Fresh and taaza paneer: Nutritional benefits and guide on making pure Indian cottage cheese at home!

Paneer also known as Indian cottage cheese is made by curdling milk with lemon juice or vinegar, and then pressing the curds to remove the whey. This results in soft cubes or slices. It has a mild, milky flavor and a slightly spongy texture. Paneer can be made with whole milk, low-fat milk, or non-fat milk. Paneer is a good source of high protein and good fat. Additionally, paneer contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Fresh dairy products from FarmLokal

Paneer is typically served as a side dish or as a topping for Indian flatbreads. The paneer is usually cooked with a variety of spices, such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala, and is often served with a side of rice or roti.

To make fresh paneer, you will need:

• 1 L of milk

• 1/2 cup lemon juice or vinegar

• Cotton cloth

Here is a simple recipe for making fresh paneer:

• Heat the milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil.

• Add the lemon juice or vinegar and stir gently. The milk should start to curdle and if not, you can add a little more lemon juice or vinegar.

• Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow it to fully separate.

• Place cloth over a bowl. Pour the mixture into the bowl and let it drain for a few minutes.

• Drain all extra water from the mixture and put weight over the paneer.

• Remove the weight and cloth from the paneer. You can use it immediately, or store it in the refrigerator too but have to consume it in short days as its shelf life is very less.

The dish can be made in a variety of ways, with some recipes calling for the paneer to be grilled or fried, while others call for it to be baked or gravy like Palak paneer, Shahi Paneer, Mutter Paneer, Paneer butter masala, Kadhai Paneer, Paneer lababdar, Paneer kofta, Chilli paneer, Paneer tikka, Paneer pakora, Paneer sandwich, Paneer roll and many more. It is a popular choice for vegetarians, as it is a source of protein and is often considered a substitute for meat in Indian dishes.

FarmLokal gives both options, either you can buy paneer directly on FarmLokal app or can make it yourself at home using fresh FarmLokal milk.