Herbed Paneer – Spiced Paneer – Herbed Cottage Cheese

“Herbed Paneer” or “Spiced Paneer” is flavoured aromatic paneer which is made by adding herbs and spices at the time of setting up of paneer.

Paneer or Farmer’s cheese is a rich source of protein. It makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time, thus making an excellent snack for someone who is looking for healthier snack options. As paneer is bland in taste and does not have any aroma or flavour of itself, addition of some herbs and spices gives a new dimension to it.

You can consume this paneer as it is or sauté it lightly in olive oil. It can be even served as an evening snack or starter. I have added variety of spices like chaat masala, black pepper, roasted cumin powder to it as per my taste palate. However you are free to experiment and add other spices of your choice. For example, to give it an Italian twist you can add some dried crushed oregano leaves with chilli flakes, or to make the panner look more colourful and vibrant you can add pinch of turmeric powder. You can serve these herbed paneer cubes as it is or sauté them in olive oil/ghee.

This herbed paneer can be used in gravies, salads, wraps, stuffed parathas or as sandwich filling too. For giving it in kids tiffin, you can skip the chilli flakes keeping the other spices mild. The possibilities of experimenting with herbed paneer are endless. For checking out the basic procedure of making Plain Paneer, click here.

I have also shown the procedure of making this paneer on youtube. You can check it out here.

YoutubeVideo:

List of Ingredients :

• Milk – 1.5 Litres
• Vinegar – 2 tbsp
• Chopped coriander – 1/4 cup
• Red Chilli Flakes – 1 tsp
• Black Pepper – 1/4 tsp
• Roasted Cumin powder – 1/4 tsp
• Chaat Masala – 1/2 tsp
• Salt – To taste
• Water -2 + 1/4 cups

Steps To Prepare:

Step1:
Keep milk in a heavy bottomed pan on medium flame.

Step2:
Let the milk boil completely. Switch off the flame & add vinegar mixed in 1/4 cups of water gradually while continuous stirring The milk will start to curdle up.

Step3:
Place kitchen cloth/muslin cloth on top of strainer balanced on a bowl or utensil. Transfer the curdled milk on it. Pour chilled water over it. Press it gently with the back of a spoon in the end to squeeze excess water.

Step4:
Add chopped coriander, salt and other spices to the cottage cheese or paneer in strainer. Mix well with a spoon.

Step5:
Pick the cheese cloth from the strainer and twist it in order to drain out all the excess water. Place some weight over it like a kitchen stone or marble rolling board over it. Let it sit like this for at least two hours.

Cut this lovely herby aromatic paneer into cubes. Sauté them in olive oil / ghee or enjoy them as it is with fresh coriander chutney or any other dip of your choice. You can also sprinkle some chaat masala over them!!