Indian food

[chuckro]

I probably shouldn't be posting food reviews on Yom Kippur, but given that fasting tends to lead to me getting belligerent, trying to eat people's heads, and then passing out, I think it's safe to assumed I'd be eating today regardless of my religous leanings.

I really like palak paneer, an Indian spinach-and-cheese dish. Recently, I bought a couple of different packaged varieties, figuring that it would make a nice lunch if it was any good. While the ready-to-eat Kitchens of India Palak Paneer was the best of the lot, it still wasn't that great, probably on par with the worst I've had at a restaurant.

I think the next step is trying homemade, especially since I already have all of the necessary spices. The recipes I'm finding suggest substituting firm tofu or large-curd cottage cheese, which is probably workable, but I'm crazy enough to ask: Anyone know a good place to buy paneer cheese?

Comments

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

Don't buy; make your own paneer.

[chuckro.livejournal.com]

That's just crazy enough to be worth trying. Of course, I'd then need to find cheesecloth, but we're getting closer...

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

You don't need proper cheesecloth. A plain non-fuzzy dishtowel will work.

[mithras03.livejournal.com]

Just to be snarky :-P - "paneer cheese" = "cheese cheese" (like chai tea...) - I know you're looking for that type of cheese, but I couldn't resist :-)

[chuckro.livejournal.com]

I feel like most types of cheeses don't actually need to be followed by the word "cheese", but often are anyway. It's not like you can buy cheddar beef or gouda broccoli.

[ivy03.livejournal.com]

I think fasting for you would be a very poor idea. I approve of you not adhering to religious custom. :P

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

As the person most likely to have to deal with the fallout, I concur.

[lithoglyphic.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmmmmm paneer. I want to try this now, too, please post any reviews of the process!! :-D

[lithoglyphic.livejournal.com]

My second thought: that sounds a LOT like the recipe for plain mozzarella. Minus the cumin, but weren't you going to add sauce anyway? Wondering if you could just use mozzarella, laughable as it sounds...

[chuckro.livejournal.com]

It would have to be fresh mozzarella; the texture of the packaged stuff is completely wrong. I'd wonder, though, if fresh mozzarella would be too wet and wouldn't fry / hold together correctly.