The only reason i started making paneer at home was when I looked at the price of the same at the shelves in Indian Grocery Stores.. you could actually make 4 times the quantity at home for what you pay at store... My Mom rules her kitchen and my MIL rules hers as well, so never had the opportunity to try new things like this before.. so that was my excuse. But after coming here, its always homemade paneer for my recipes(other than emergency times like party). I feel so satisfied serving my hubby and my little one with my handmade paneer....
I started making paneer using lemon juice only. I never wanted to take risk making them using curd as it didn't work well when i tried some months ago... i do not prefer vinegar or citric powder method as well.. But one day when i had too little lemon juice and had to make paneer, i decided to use curd with lemon juice --- TAN-TA-DA it worked very well.
Result = Soft paneer + no lemon juice flavour + perfect to cut. From then on I changed my method from adding only lemon juice to mixing curd and lemon together.
Ingredients:
Milk - 6 cups (i used 2%)
Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
Homemade Curd - 1/4 cup
Ice cubes - a big bowl full
Method:
- Whisk Curd and lemon juice in a separate bowl.
- Boil the milk. once the milk rises slow down the stove to low flame.
- Add Curd and lemon juice mix and keep stirring rising the flame to medium.
- Milk starts curdling and whey gets separated.Keep stirring until you see a clear whey.
- When curdled milk comes to the center and raises as it boils, switch off your stove.
- Spread a muslin cloth/cheese cloth(Make sure its enough to get tied up) and drain the curdled milk.
- Now bring the edges of the cloth together and immerse it(up and down process) in a bowl filled with ice cubes-cold water. Slightly rub the bag so that it releases the lemon juice flavor and bring the curdled milk together to a ball.
- Squeeze the excess water and tie the bag. Hang it on your shelf holder or water tap for 1-1/2 hours and do not disturb the setting.
- Now on a flat plate, first place the sack, then a tawa or plate and finally some heavy weight. This helps to squeeze all excess water. Let it set for 2 more hours without disturbing the setup.
- Open the knot and Remove the paneer from the cloth to your dicing board and cut them to your required size or to pieces.
- Store them in an air-tight container or ziplock. It can be used upto a week if refrigerated.
Note:
- We can use whole milk or skimmed milk or organic milk, whichever is used in your family.
- Remember to use lemon juice and curd in room temperature. using curd directly from the refrigerator not only takes more time in curdling the milk but also will not mix well with the milk.
- The whey water can be used for making chappathi batter.
- Immersing paneer in ice-cube filled water bowl helps to cool down the heat easily and makes it easier to remove the lemon flavor.
- Try to squeeze the maximum water possible before hanging.
- The time to drain water depends on the cloth you use to strain. always use a muslin cloth or thin cotton cloth(with more pores).
- Do not rush with drain process. Give time to set. Remember there is nothing wrong in draining longer because the more the water gets drained the perfect the paneer will be.
- I prefer to simply hang and drain water when i need crumbled paneer for making Malai kofta, Paneer cutlets.
- Putting on the weight is to release the last drop of water and to get the paneer set well as it helps in cutting them to cubes.
- Refrigerate paneer after cutting them to pieces in case your are not using them immediately.
- Use the homemade paneer within a week's time preferably.
Though I love paneer a lot, never tried making it at home.. Very useful post.. Nice clicks!
ReplyDeleteThank you divya...its easy, once we start making am sure will not go back to stores
Deletewow! so good and soft..
ReplyDeleteThank you veena
Deletewow,this paneer looks so good..
ReplyDeletemuch better than store bought.. :)
Thank you shree
DeleteAwesome dear! Stunning pics.
ReplyDeleteThank you madhavi
Deletelovely post... i can feel for the excuse in the beginning, i'm waiting to be on my own to try such adventures as making paneer, as my mom would simply see it as a waste of milk!!! hehe... u've described it beautifully, divya, thank you... would refer back to this, for sure... :)
ReplyDeleteThank you rafeeda...like you said i had the same problem.both mom's had same opinion "Waste of milk divya kutti"...he he...Do give a try and let me know, i would love to hear from you.
Deletewow lovely clicks and perfectly made paneer :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Manjula :)
DeleteDiv...nice..you r becoming an expert now.... shouldn't miss to catch you when u r in India next time so that we came make you cook for us also :)
ReplyDeleteThank you chetu...With pleasure. would love to treat you guyz :)
DeleteNice clicks :) well explained and perfectly cubed too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you divya
DeleteNice clicks.. Detailed elaborate description.. I am referring here next time I make paneer :)
ReplyDeleteThank u chitz...
DeleteThe paneer looks so good Divya. Love the clicks too :)
ReplyDeleteThank u priya
DeletePerfectly done.. Nice clicks
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Thank you vimi
DeleteAnd above all we know what we are eating in the name of paneer....Suspicious shops add many chemicals to make them extra soft...Nice and useful post
ReplyDeleteThank you dear
DeleteHomemade are always the best, well done Divya,prefect texture and attractive paneer squares.
ReplyDeleteThank you priya
DeleteHomemade paneer are always best, soft n tastee rt? u done it so well n got the perfect slabs...loved ur pictorials n presentation...Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you sangeetha
Deletei dont buy paneer from store.. i like the homemade always :) nice clicks..
ReplyDeleteThank you PT
DeletePerfect Divya.. I like homemade paneer too.. It's so much more flavorful.. Nice step by step instructions. I hardly have patience to click through when I am making something. :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you sumee
DeleteWow it looks better than store bought...i too make panner in home i like homemade always...Nuice click with step by step explanation dear...
ReplyDeleteThank you saranya
DeleteWow...wonderfully made....great job :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you helen
Deletehai Divya...first time here, u have such a lovely blog with detiled write up. happy to follow u..will come back to check up the rest..
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by sona and following me. you have a wonderful space too that i cannot miss to follow:)
DeleteFirst time here..I totally agree with u..homemade always tastes better and does not burn a hole in the pocket.urs have come out gr8
ReplyDeleteThank you ramya
DeleteHello.. I love your recipe and i have share your recipe in my blog and my page.
ReplyDeleteFind Indian And Non Indian Recipe Collection..
Blog : http://indianrecipecollections.blogspot.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Food/244843132221192
Twitter : https://twitter.com/swalawade
Hi swapana, i did not see any share of my recipe on any of your page...loved your page and thanks for stopping by
ReplyDeleteDear Divya
DeleteCheck your recipe link in my blog :)
http://indianrecipecollections.blogspot.in/2013/08/homemade-paneer-indian-cottage-cheese.html
and give me some time i will update your full recipe link in post.
thanks for visiting my blog
Thank you :)
DeleteLovely post and wonderful clicks.. Will definitely try this Divya :-)
ReplyDeletethanks nilu
Delete