HOW TO MAKE PANEER – INSTANT POT METHOD

STEP 1: LINE A COLANDER WITH A CHEESECLOTH

• Line a large colander with a piece of a double layer of cheesecloth and place the colander onto a large empty bowl.

  Note: You can use cheesecloth or a muslin cloth.
  

STEP 2: BOIL THE MILK

• Press YOGURT twice to get the BOIL setting.
• Add 1 gallon of full-fat (whole) milk. Close the lid with the vent sealed.
• When the program is done, allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release.

  Note: It takes around 40 minutes to boil the milk in Instant Pot.
• Carefully open the lid. Select SAUTE – HIGH.
• Let the milk come to a boil, for around 10 minutes. Keep stirring in-between to prevent any milk from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

STEP 3: ADD VINEGAR 

• Allow the milk to come to a boil. Add vinegar, mix gently. Milk starts to curdle immediately, as soon as the white milk solids and whey (greenish liquid) separate. Cancel SAUTE.

STEP 4: STRAIN THE MILK SOLIDS 

• Immediately pour the contents into the colander lined with cheesecloth to strain the whey out.
  

STEP 5: RINSE THE PANEER

• Carefully lift the colander and rinse it under cold water to remove any smell from the vinegar.

STEP 6: PRESS THE PANEER

• Grab the ends of the cheesecloth and twist them to form a ball. Twist the cheesecloth to remove any extra liquid.
• Place the cheese ball on a plate with a twisted part of the cheesecloth on the side (this assures a nice and smooth block of cheese). Place a second plate on top of the paneer. Add some weight to the second plate to set the paneer. I normally keep weight equivalent to a gallon (an empty jar of milk filled with water, an oil container, or cans filled with beans).
• After 30 minutes. check if the paneer is set. A soft, firm block of paneer will be formed. If required add a few more minutes. for paneer to set.

  Note: Paneer will harden upon refrigeration.
  
• Cut the paneer into desired pieces and use it in your favorite dish. Enjoy!!
  

HOW TO MAKE PANEER – STOVETOP METHOD

• In a heavy bottom pot, on high heat, add milk and bring it to a boil. Keep stirring in-between to prevent any milk from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The rest of the recipe is the same as Instant Pot.