Paneer, the New Easy Cheese!

Paneer, please do not be angry at me for the easy cheese reference. You are delicious in my curry, but you are also very easy to make. Hooray!

Step 1: Bring 10 cups of whole milk to a boil, stirring occasionally. Easy enough...

Step 2: Reduce heat to low & add 1/3 cup lemon juice, I used Meyer lemons for the extra flavor. Cook, stirring occasionally, until curds & whey separate. Hands off Miss Muffet!



Step 3: Remove from heat & let stand for 10 minutes.






Step 4: Drain curd into a colander lined with 3 layers of cheesecloth & rinse gently with warm water.






Step 5: Gently gather curd in cheesecloth & squeeze to release some moisture.




Step 6: Flatten curd (still in cloth) slightly into a disk & place in a large mixing bowl. Fill smaller bowl with water & place on top as a weight. Let stand for 1 hour.

Voila! Paneer! This delicious cheese can be added to most Indian dishes as a substitute for meat...or in addition. I added it to this Food & Wine Masala recipe & it was delish!