If you live or have lived in India, it's unlikely that you haven't come across paneer at some point! Paneer is a fresh cheese common in Indian cuisine, and many households make their own. It is a kind of cottage cheese, and similar in appearance to tofu. It's made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice,vinegar or a similar souring agent. Paneer is an excellent source of protein and calcium, especially for vegetarians. Here is the full nutritional profile of paneer.
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy - 182 kJ (43 kcal)
Sugars - 5 g
Vitamin A - 174 IU
Calcium - 127 mg
Iron - 0 mg
Magnesium - 11.9 mg
Phosphorus - 101 mg
Potassium - 161 mg
Sodium - 47 mg
Zinc - 0.5 mg
(μg = micrograms * mg = milligrams
IU = International units)
To learn more about the benefits of paneer and to know if your baby is read for paneer, you can check out this post. Now, let's get into a paneer recipe that's a little unconventional - Flavored Paneer!
Ingredients:
- 1 litre milk (I have used full fat cow milk)
- 2-3 tbsp curd
For Flavouring:
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp ginger juice
- Finely chopped coriander (optional)
- Salt to taste.
Method:
1. Heat milk and lower the heat when it begins to boil.
2. Add the mixed herbs, ginger juice, black pepper powder and salt into the milk. Add the curd and stir well.
3. The greenish pale whey water will separate from the milk solids. You may need a little more curd depending upon on the milk you use.
4. Keep the heat low as the whey separates, which may take a few minutes. Once the whey is completely separated turn off the heat.
5. Place a colander or sieve over a bowl and pour the curdled milk mixture into it to separate the milk solids. The whey water collected in the bowl can be used in curries or to knead dough for chapatis and paranthas.
6. Let the paneer sit in the colander till all the water drains away. Empty the contents of the colander on a plate, place another plate on it and press it down with a heavy object.
7. In a while, the paneer will set in a block and can then be cut into cubes or triangles. Eat it as it is or use in gravies.
You can also make a sweet version of flavored paneer by adding honey and cinnamon powder.These flavored paneer cubes are a great finger food and evening snack for kids after play time. According to a well known dietician Dr Harpreet Pasricha, whey water is an ideal drink for kids within 15 minutes of their sports session to make up for the muscle wear and tear during play. Now this is one healthy snack that kids are not going to complain about!
Author
Kanika has a Masters in computer science and is now a stay at home mom to a cute little boy, Onish. She loves to cook and tries new and yummy recipes to get her fussy toddler to eat healthy.
Lots of Love,
