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Since we can remember, paneer has been a mainstay of our diet. When we wish to keep the dinner vegetarian, it provides a fantastic high-protein dish because it is slightly sweet and creamy. However, unless it is freshly prepared, paneer must be softened before cooking in order to maintain the consistency of its milky-soft texture.
Here are a few tips on how to soften paneer before cooking. These foolproof techniques guarantee that this creamy Indian cheese will have a soft and spongy feel whether it is frozen or served straight from the refrigerator. To soften an entire block of paneer cubes and use them in your favourite paneer recipes, follow these tried-and-true instructions.
Keep The Paneer Covered:
To ensure that your paneer stays soft, the first and most important step is to keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator. Always store it in an airtight container. If you expose your paneer to the harsh air inside the refrigerator, it could completely lose its moisture.
Store At Room Temperature:
Before using it in your recipe, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. When the paneer is warmed up, it will instantly soften because it is cold and hard in the refrigerator. Therefore, remove it from the refrigerator at least two hours before using it in your recipe. This will give it enough time to warm up to room temperature and allow it to naturally soften.
Immerse In Warm Water:
This advice will come in handy if time is of the essence. The paneer slab should be cut into cubes and dipped in warm water. The paneer should only be covered by a thin layer of water; do not allow it to sink. Keep in mind that soaking it for longer than five minutes will cause the paneer to become brittle.
Frying The Paneer:
We can soften frozen Paneer by frying it. Take a pan and fill it with ghee or oil. To make it hot, place it over a medium flame. Place paneer cubes or a complete piece, preferably in it once it has heated up, and shake it vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
It will soften in 2–3 minutes, if not sooner. When the Paneer's colour gets brown, switch off the flame by shaking it slowly so that it does not adhere to the pan. Avoid overfrying it because doing so will make the paneer cubes firm. After that, you can incorporate it into your recipe or meal to make it scrumptious and delectable.
Steam The Paneer:
Steam the paneer cubes to make them softer. Over boiling water, place a strainer. The paneer cubes should be distributed equally once it has achieved a rolling boil so that they can all take up the steam. After that, put a lid on it to stop the steam from evaporating. If you let the paneer cubes sit like that for 10 to 20 minutes, they will become soft and spongy.
