Why don’t people use paneer? This is a staple, people! It’s an un-ripened cheese made from milk. I used to make my own but for a few years I’ve been able to buy it at Wal-Mart and SuperStore. Now it’s gone. Gone because nobody eats it!
Years ago, in my old life, I lived near a couple who ran an organic farm and kept milking cows. I would get a glass gallon jar of fresh, unpasteurized organic milk and make my own. I might take off a little thick cream that raised to the top but most of it I stirred back in for better flavour…… that was the best paneer ever.
(Heat milk until it’s just starting to boil, take it off the heat and add lemon juice. Wait a while until it curdles then strain it and press it. Voila! a versatile and tasty source of protein.)
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it, made by Nanak foods, in the SuperStore. I would buy two blocks for the same price it would cost me to make it. A block could be cut up into 4 portions and frozen. I would get two meals out of one portion so it lasted me for a couple of months.
Start to caramalize onions (sautee if you’re in a hurry) and when they are half way done add cubed paneer. It needs onion and salt. I use it in stir-frys with rice or with any Italian dish. It’s even delicious in a toasted sandwich…… as long as it has onions.
But now they stopped selling it. At first I was hoping it was just a missed order from Nanak foods but I’ve been to Sarnia and London twice and no paneer. I’m so sad. I’ve gotten so used to having it.
I bought some tofu last week because I need the protein in my stir-frys. What a let-down: I’ve been spoiled by paneer. Tofu has no flavour, you have to add flavour…… I suspect it robs other foods of their flavour it’s so flavourless.
Now it’s asparagus season. One of my favourite meals is paneer (sautéed with onions) and asparagus in a pita. Last night I made it with mozzarella. It was OK.
I have to find a store in London that sells Indian foods and that means driving downtown….. curses!
Tofu is so mainstream now….. I used to have to go to Chinatown to get it and they called it bean curd if you weren’t Chinese. Now everyone knows what tofu is, meat-eaters even use it sometimes, but nobody knows what paneer is!
Canadians; go to your SuperStore or Wal-Mart and demand Nanak paneer! Please.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Ingredients.”
monicle's chronicles 
Palak paneer is amazing! I haven’t seen it in stores… Is it in the dairy case? Or international food section?
Yes, that’s like Saag Paneer, my favourite. That’s how I was introduced to paneer.
It was in the dairy case along with cheese. Nanak foods sells good frozen entrees also so it’s worth looking for an Indian grocer.
oooh, I am so glad we’ve had this conversation – rather, that you’ve written this post – I’m going to copy the recipe and give it a go, myself. 🙂
Have been making paneer for a while now. The result is much like haloumi, hard cheese from Cyprus, wich is easy to find in swedish grocery stores. I use it just like halloumi, brushed with oil and fry or grill it. Think it goes well in both savory and sweet dishes. Im writing a post on paneer soon to be published on my blog with the title “Oh cheesesus – fried cheese for desert” (the title is partly translated from swedish). I haven’t tried palak paneer yet. Do you have a good recipe?
I did make it again, I missed it so much. It wasn’t very firm. and too much mess.
I don’t make those fancy Indian dishes…. too much work and you really need to know the spices used.
I just use it with my vegetables and rice or with Italian cooking.