The yummy paneer that makes a vegetarians world yummilicious

If you have to name one food item that unites the entire country then it has to be the yummy paneer. It’s difficult to imagine a vegetable or any other food item that has so many avatars as the humble cottage cheese. Kadhai paneer, shahi paneer, paneer tikka, paneer bhurji, matar paneer, and the list is endless. To get an idea of how many paneer dishes one can relish just visit a dhaba and check the menu card. There will be at least more than 20 dishes with yummy paneer as the main ingredient.

Paneer is India’s answer to the world of cheese. If the English have their Cheddar and the Italians have their Mozzarella and Parmesan then India has fresh cottage cheese.

It’s a festive time and parties are happening every weekend. Few even get spilled over weekdays keeping in mind guest availability. The moment a host family gets a confirmation from the guests the planning process starts. The lady of the house counts the vegetarians and the non-vegetarians. Based on the numbers a party menu is decided.

For the non-vegetarians, there is chicken tikka, mutton shaami in snacks, and butter chicken in the main course. For vegetarians, it’s paneer tikka and chilli paneer in snacks and matar paneer in the main course. There is an overdose of yummy paneer but the vegetarians don’t mind.

Shudh Vaishno Bhojnalaya’s future would be at stake

Imagine a situation where there is no paneer. Half of India’s Vaishno dhaba will close down as they would have nothing exotic to offer apart from the vegetable dishes and dal. Enter any dhaba and the waiter will hand over a laminated two-sided printed menu. You will be surprised to see that your favorite yummy paneer can be cooked in so many ways. At home, you have been served cottage cheese only in limited edition dishes like matar paneer, aloo paneer, or palak paneer.

On way to Chandigarh and the hill stations of Himachal, stopping for breakfast at the famous Murthal dhaba is a ritual for every Delhiite. The dhaba specializes in serving stuffed parathas topped with dollops of white butter. No doubt paneer stuffed paratha is one of the hottest selling ones. Taking a bite of a paratha that lands on your plate straight from the tandoor along with an achar is just bliss.

What will be Mughlai or Chinese food without yummy paneer

The Chinese food made desi style is quite popular amongst all Indian families. Whether ordering at home or in a fine-dine restaurant, one orders a few vegetarian dishes along with chicken and prawns. The reason is that in every family at least half are vegetarian by choice. The dishes ordered are paneer Manchurian, chilli paneer, and paneer momos.

Whether it is the humble dosa or a handi biryani, yummy paneer makes every dish taste yummilicious. Mughlai food known for chicken and mutton dishes has created the same options for vegetarians by replacing non-veg items with cottage cheese. So instead of mutton korma, we have paneer korma and instead of butter chicken, we have shahi paneer.

Kadhai paneer vs Shahi paneer

I have a group of friends who are mostly vegetarians and often we go out for dinner with families. The job of placing the order generally falls on my shoulders. It’s a job that I reluctantly agree to. The waiter hands over the menu to the diners. But to get a consensus is a difficult task. The problem starts when one of my vegetarian friends settles for shahi paneer and the other one for kadhai paneer. One doesn’t like the sweet taste of shahi paneer while the other dislikes the Shimla mirch in kadhai paneer. A peace settlement happens and I order one for each. The non-vegetarians in the group being connoisseurs settle for a butter chicken.

Surprisingly there is also a community that is not so fond of cottage cheese. Whenever I throw a party at home, I have to take care of a few guests who don’t relish paneer in any form. My spouse takes special care of them by making a bhindi do pyaaza or an aloo-gobhi for them.

The popular avatar of yummy paneer

One thing good about paneer is that it’s a good source of protein and also can be consumed healthily. Add it to any salad and it becomes a favorite of the gym-going crowd. Just saute it in a pan with a few drops of oil and it becomes an instant hit as a snack.

One of the most famous jugalbandi is that of paneer and green peas. The day both met it led to the creation of India’s favorite vegetarian dish called matar paneer. Whether it’s a dinner at your friend’s place or a wedding dinner, matar paneer is a part of the dinner spread that makes you salivate. Similarly, vegetarians who at times want to relish a non-vegetarian dish but in a vegetarian avatar opt for shahi paneer. Served in tomato and cashew gravy and enjoyed with a butter naan this dish scores high on popularity in all restaurants.

When it comes to stuffed paratha paneer gives a tough fight to aloo, gobhi, and pyaaz. Most of the eating joints put a premium on paneer pricing it higher than the others. The rice lovers can’t imagine being served a matar pulao without a garnish of paneer or a veg biryani without chunks of paneer.

And how can be cocktail parties thrown without tandoori paneer tikka or paneer shashlik? If the non-vegetarians love their scotch with chicken tikkas and mutton shaami then our vegetarian friends enjoy their sip of scotch with a paneer tikka or chilli paneer.

The yummy paneer also has a social responsibility

Indian cottage cheese has played a big role in the development of the Indian economy. It has provided job opportunities to thousands of people who are jobless or living below the poverty line. The ubiquitous street vendors have become popular just by offering paneer-stuffed samosas and paneer pakoras. The Chola bhatura joints serve paneer stuffed bhatura that tastes awesome with every bite of cholas. Even the vendors offering Chinese momos have a paneer stuffed momo that is either steamed or fried with a mayonnaise topping.

To sweeten this story there is a sweeter side of paneer. A paneer ki kheer tastes just like rabri and is loved by all. The soft succulent crumbled paneer in flavored sweetened milk makes an awesome dessert. India’s most popular sweet “the Rusgulla” is a close cousin of paneer while the danedar kalakand is made using the yummy paneer.

So, the next weekend when you visit a restaurant try ordering a shahi paneer with a butter nan. And if you are planning to stay at home you ask your mom to make matar paneer and jeera pulao.

Click on the following links to read more foodie stories:

A love affair with a spicy golgappa India’s favourite street food

Chole Bhature the desi Indian dish that beats a hamburger any day

You can also learn more about such awesome dishes by clicking on the following link:

https://www.grihshobha.in/food