One lovely reader here dropped a message asking how to make paneer at home for her baby. I thought why not try my hands to make fresh home made paneer.Paneer (cottage cheese) is one of my favorites and maybe yours too! It’s a type of firm fresh cheese which does not melt like other cheese varieties.Preparing paneer at home is not a difficult task as you think. It’s very easy and can be prepared with only two main ingredients. The best part I enjoyed was cutting the paneer into blocks.Benefits of paneer:
Cottage cheesepro is a power house packed with vitamins, proteisn adn Calcium, all three required for healthy growth and development in babies. tein, calcium and vitamins.Provides better nourishment to the growing children due to its high protein and healthy fat contentProtects the teeth against harmful sugars due to its low lactose contentHelp underweight babies and kids to put on some extra poundsPrevents malnutrition and other protein deficiency diseasesHelps children during the strengthening of cartilages of the body due to its high level of B group vitaminsEven children who develops allergy to milk can have cottage cheeseBoosts the immune system thus preventing the risk of various diseases in children like cough, cold, bronchial asthma etcOther major health benefits of paneer:Maintains strong teeth and bones with its high calcium contentPrevents cavities as it contains Vitamin D along with calciumPrevents osteoporosis caused due to Calcium deficiencyGood for heartHelps in prevention of cancer and diabetesBeneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding womenPaneer water (whey) is the good source of digestible proteins thus acts as the cleansing agent, good for hair and skin.Paneer or cottage cheese can be started for babies from 8th month. It can be introduced as it is in the form of finger foods or mash/scrambled/soup.How to make paneer at home for babies and kids?The materials required to make paneer are cheese cloth and a heavy weight object like a dosa tawa. The ingredients you require are milk and lemon juice. You can also use curd or vinegar instead of lemon juice.Extract the juice of lemon and keep it aside. Once the milk is boiled, add lemon juice. The milk will start to curdle.
Keep on stirring in medium heat so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Strain using a cheesecloth and hang it over to ooze out the extra liquid. Once the entire liquid is out, place it on a flat surface and keep a heavy object like dosa tawa on top of it.
Paneer would be set within 45-50 minutes. Cut paneer into desired shapes.
Pack in zip lock pouches or air tight containers and refrigerate.
PrintHow To Make Paneer at Home Author: Jayalekshmy Velswamy IngredientsMilk – 1 litreLemon juice -1 ½ to 2 tablespoonsInstructionsBoil milkOnce milk starts boiling add the lemon juiceStrain it in the cheeseclothAfter one or two minutes put the cheesecloth together tightlyPlace it on any flat surface and keep the dosa tawa on top of the cheeseclothCheck after 45 min. The paneer would be set at this timeCut paneer into whatever shapes you likePut the paneer blocks in a zip lock packets or air tight containersRefrigerate (in freezer) the paneer until you use it3.2.2885
Notes:Try to use the home made paneer on same day you preparePaneer do stay fresh for three days in fridgeI strongly suggest not to use after three days because its homemade, without any added preservativesDon’t throw away paneer water (whey). It can be used for making chapattis/roti dough, added in soups, dal or other vegetable curries.If you are looking for homemade recipes for toddlers, you can try Homemade hot chocolate recipe and Homemade peanut chikki .Have you started paneer for your little one? Is he/she fond of it? Do you make paneer at home? Share with me in comments.Share this article in Facebook and Twitter. Remember sharing is caring
