Simple & Quick Paneer Recipes to Make at Home

Paneer is common in South Asia and is a pivotal part of the cuisine.

It is essentially a type of milk curd cheese used in South Asian cooking.

It is generally known as a  rancher cheese which means that it does not melt.

The use of paneer is more common in countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

It has a mild flavour and dense texture, and when partnered with strong Desi spices, it is a wonderful thing.

Paneer is used in many classic Desi dishes because it keeps its shape in cooking. Cubed paneer can be stirred into soups or curries and it will remain intact.

It is a favourite vegetarian option among Desi people. It is even often made at home by Desi grandmothers who are familiar with the method.

This vegetarian ingredient is part of some of the best dishes South Asia has to offer and many are very easy to make and are quick.

There are so many different paneer dishes so we will only look at a few which take no time to make and will be a fantastic meal.

Matar Paneer

Arguably the most well-known paneer recipe and the great thing about it is that it takes a total of 25 minutes.

It takes 15 minutes to prepare and only 10 to actually cook.

The rich tomato sauce packs, heat and hints of sweetness, making it a dish which must be tried.

It is a quick vegetarian recipe which is full of flavours that you can try at home.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• Two packets of cubed paneer
• 1½ tsp ginger paste
• 1½ tsp ground cumin
• 4 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 200g frozen peas
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 green chilli, finely sliced
• A small packet of coriander, roughly chopped
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat until it is shimmering hot.
2. Add the paneer, then turn down the heat.
3. Fry until they become golden brown.
4. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
5. In the same pan, add the ginger, cumin, turmeric, ground coriander and chilli.
6. Fry for one minute.
7. Add the tomatoes and when they start to soften, mash them with a back of a spoon so the texture is smoother.
8. Simmer for five minutes until the sauce becomes fragrant. Add a little water if it is too thick.
9. Season with salt and add the peas. Simmer for two minutes.
10. Stir in the paneer and add the garam masala.
11. Garnish with coriander.
12. Serve with roti or rice.

Saag Paneer

This is another dish which is considered a classic vegetarian option in Indian cuisine.

Saag Paneer is a dish which has plenty of flavours and is gluten-free. It is also very vibrant, with its green colour coming from the spinach.

On paper, it looks like a meal which will take a lot of time, but it doesn’t.

It is a recipe which only takes 20 minutes to cook which means you will be able to have a healthy, delicious meal in no time.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 green chilli, roughly chopped
• One packet of cubed paneer
• 1½ garlic paste
• 1½ ginger paste
• 500g fresh spinach
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tsp garam masala
• ½ lemon, juiced

Method

1. Melt the ghee and stir in the turmeric and chilli powder.
2. Add the paneer and mix well to ensure it is fully coated. Set aside.
3. Place spinach in a colander and pour over boiling water. Drain and leave to cool.
4. Squeeze out most of the water then roughly chop.
5. Blitz together the onion, garlic, ginger and green chilli.
6. Heat a large non-stick pan and add the paneer.
7. Cook for eight minutes and stir regularly to ensure that they become golden all over.
8. Remove and set aside, leaving any remaining spices in the pan.
9. Put the onion mixture into the pan and season with salt.
10. Fry for 10 minutes or until the mix becomes caramel coloured adding some water if it begins to look dry.
11. Add the garam masala and fry for a further two minutes.
12. Add the spinach and cook for three minutes, adding 100ml water to release all the flavours from the bottom of the pan.
13. Stir in the paneer and cook for two minutes to heat through.
14. Squeeze some lemon juice and serve.

Tandoori Paneer Skewers with Mango Salsa

This vegetarian meal is perfect for a weeknight and is for those who want paneer but not in a curry.

Each paneer skewer is full of flavour which comes from a blend of the cheese and vegetables.

The soft creamy cheese goes against the smoky mixed vegetables which make for an excellent combination.

It adds a sweet mango salsa for that extra kick for the taste buds and only takes 15 minutes to cook.

Ingredients

• 150g yoghurt
• 3 tbsp instant tandoori paste
• 4 limes, 3 juiced, 1 cut into wedges
• 450g cubed paneer
• 2 small red onions, sliced relatively thin
• 1 mango, cut into small cubes
• 1 avocado,  cut into small cubes
• A small packet of mint leaves, chopped
• 1 red pepper, cut into 3cm pieces
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Heat grill to high.
2. Mix yoghurt in a medium bowl with tandoori paste, 1 tbsp lime juice and season with salt.
3. Add the paneer and gently stir to coat.
4. Put the paneer onto metal skewers alternating with pepper and onion.
5. Place on a baking tray lined with tin foil.
6. Grill for 10 minutes, turning halfway through until the paneer becomes hot and the vegetables are soft and slightly charred.
7. Make the salsa by mixing the mango, avocado, mint and remaining lime juice.
8. Take the skewers out and serve with the mango salsa and rice.

Paneer-Stuffed Pancakes

One of the easiest recipes to make, this dish is one to make if you do not have a lot of time and want a nutritious meal.

It takes just 20 minutes to plate up and is full of vital nutrients such as iron, which makes it very healthy.

The dish combines the flavours of rich creaminess with savoury pancakes.

Ingredients

• 1 Large egg, lightly beaten
• 100ml semi-skimmed milk
• 50g plain flour
• 1 tsp sunflower oil, plus extra for frying the pancakes
• 100g spinach
• 100g paneer, cut into medium-sized cubes
• 1 tbsp hot curry paste
• 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 150g passata
• 75ml coconut yoghurt
• 1 tbsp mango chutney

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 110°C.
2. Gradually mix the egg and milk into the flour with a whisk.
3. Heat some oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
4. Pour a quarter of the batter and swirl it around to coat the pan.
5. Cook for 30 seconds on each side before putting in the oven to keep warm.
6. Repeat and layer baking parchment between each pancake so they don’t stick together.
7. Meanwhile, heat some oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
8. Add the cheese and fry until they become golden brown.
9. Stir in the curry paste then add the chickpeas, passata and spinach and heat through.
10. If the mixture becomes dry, add a little water.
11. Mix the coconut yoghurt with the mango chutney.
12. Divide the filling between the pancakes, spoon on some yoghurt and enjoy.

Spicy Paneer

This is a popular dish in restaurants on the vegetarian menu.

It makes an excellent meal as it combines the flavour of the cheese with the great fieriness of the ginger and chilli powder

It also has a hint of sweetness from the honey.

It is a great vegetarian dish which is easy to make when following the recipe.

At 50 minutes, it is longer than the other dishes but it is worth the time.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• 400g paneer, cubed
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• A knob of ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium sized onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 4 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1½ tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tbsp clear honey

Method

1. Heat oil in a frying pan.
2. Fry the paneer until golden brown. Leave to drain on kitchen paper.
3. In the same pan, heat 1 tbsp oil and gently fry the coriander seeds, ginger, chilli and onion for 10 minutes until golden.
4. Add the tomatoes and cook for a further 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
5. Add the remaining spices and honey. Stir for a few minutes.
6. Put the paneer into the sauce and stir well. Simmer for a few minutes.
7. Garnish with shredded spring onions and red onions.
8. Serve with naan, roti or rice.

Paneer is such a versatile ingredient which can be made into a variety of delicious meals.

These were just a small sample of ways to make paneer.

All of which are very easy to make and take hardly any time.

So give them a try and see how easy and delicious they are.