Indian Cuisine: 3 Authentic Paneer Dishes
Posted on: 23 November 2020
Paneer is a fresh, non-melting cheese that's made by curdling milk with an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice. It's a popular food consumed across India and serves as a major source of protein and calcium for vegetarian Indians. Paneer has a mild, creamy flavour and is typically cut into cubes before being added to a dish. If you enjoy cheese, consider trying a paneer-based dish the next time you visit an Indian restaurant. Paneer can be used in curries, soups and desserts, so there's bound to be a paneer dish you like. Here are 3 authentic paneer dishes to look out for:
Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer butter masala is a creamy and rich curry made by sautéing onions, cashews and tomatoes and then blending to create a smooth sauce. Butter and a variety of spices, such as ground coriander, garam masala, green cardamom and red chilli powder, are added to the sauce. The paneer is added last and heated through just before serving. This dish is served with a little fresh cream and a garnish of coriander and is traditionally enjoyed with cumin-infused rice or paratha, which is a whole wheat flatbread.
Malai Kofta Curry
Malai kofta curry is a creamy, hearty dish that's perfect for warming you up on a cold evening. Koftas are similar to meatballs or falafels, and the koftas in this curry are meatless and consist of potato, paneer and a blend of herbs and spices that includes ginger, garam masala and fresh coriander leaves. The koftas are fried until crispy on the outside and served with the malai curry sauce, which consists of tomatoes, onions, butter, cream and several spices including garam masala, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Enjoy this creamy curry with steamed rice or buttery naan bread.
Kalakand
Kalakand is a deliciously sweet dessert made with condensed milk, crumbled paneer, rose water, cardamom powder and chopped nuts. The ingredients are heated together and poured into a baking tin to set in the fridge. Once set, kalakand is cut into squares and is often enjoyed with a cup of fragrant black tea or coffee to finish off a meal.
These are just a few examples of authentic paneer dishes that can often be found at many local Indian restaurants. If you would like to give this unique cheese a try, look out for paneer dishes or ask your server to recommend a traditional paneer dish the next time you go out to eat.
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