Dairy Foods 102 Paneer (Indian Cheese)

Paneer in India is same as Queso Blanco (White Cheese) in Mexico. Paneer is a rubbery bland cheese molded in to a brick under pressure. This has the same consistency as hard or firm Tofu. The cheese is produced by coagulating hot milk with acid.

In the olden days, Water-Buffalo or goat milk was used to make Paneer. The milk was brought to a boil. When boiling, fresh lime juice was added to induce coagulation. The contents were transferred to a muslin cloth to hang. After the liquid was drained off, the Paneer was left in the muslin cloth.

Nowadays, commercial Paneer is often made with un-pasteurized un-homogenized cow's whole milk. At home, one can use homogenized pasteurized milk to make Paneer. Add some heavy whipping cream to milk to gain cream fat lost in making regular milk in United States.

In India, lime juice is used as the acid. In Mexico, white vinegar is used. Either acid can be used. You will need one Tablespoon of either lime juice or vinegar for one quart of milk.

Do not use Aluminum or copper pot to make Paneer because of the acid. Heavy bottom stainless steel pot works very well.

Chenna

The fresh un-molded Paneer in the form of small curds is called Chenna. Chenna is kneaded to make desserts such as Rasgulla. It is similar to making Mozzarella cheese, mozzarella is made by kneading the curds after the milk is coagulated at room temperature using Rennet.

Cottage Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese

In United States, cottage cheese looks similar to Chenna. However, Rennet , an animal enzyme is used to coagulate milk at room temperature to make cottage cheese.

Difference between Paneer and Cottage Cheese

Another product similar to Paneer is Ricotta Cheese. Ricotta cheese is made from left over liquid whey from making Cottage cheese or Mozzarella Cheese. The left over whey is heated and coagulated further with acid to make Ricotta Cheese.

Difference between Paneer and Ricotta Cheese

After the milk is coagulated at room temperature with Rennet, the cuds are kneaded to make Mozzarella Cheese.