EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP
THEME: #246 P FOR PANEER
My Paneer Dish : Date Paneer Cheesecake
I must have had the recipe for date and paneer cheesecake jotted down in my recipe book for ages. If I’m not mistaken I must have jotted it down from the Elle Magazine (India Edition) that my daughter kept on buying during her college years. Right now we get the best choice of Dates during Ramadan month and it would be really sad if I didn’t take the opportunity to try out the dessert. Sweet dates were enough to add a little sweetness to the dessert.
Most of us are still under lockdowns, stay at home, self isolation, etc etc as times are getting more uncertain as to how the Corona virus will be controlled or if ever things will be the same. Under such situations, we still have to think of ingredients for our themes that are manageable by all or most of us. This week Sujata who blogs at Batter Up With Sujata asked us to use PANEER. Most of us have paneer or can make it from milk easily at home. I am lucky I get my supply of fresh milk every 3-4 days. Sujata works wonders with paneer… if you don’t believe me then check out her Watermelon Rasgulla Recipe.
FoodieMonday/Bloghop Theme
I must admit when the lockdown began in India, some members of FoodieMonday/Bloghop wanted to keep our weekly posting on a hold till things improved. However, majority of us suggested we should carry on otherwise it would break the group up. As a result we suggest simple ingredients and its truly amazing that even with simple ingredients the recipes are totally amazing. Besides the cooking part, we’re able to share our thoughts, joys and worries on our WhatsApp group without any hassles.
What is Paneer?
Paneer is a soft cheese that is very famous in the Indian Sub Continent. Made from hot milk that is curdled with lemon juice, yogurt or vinegar. Paneer is most commonly used to prepare different curries or as we call them sabji. However, its use is not restricted to curries as a variety of snacks, desserts, flatbreads, etc are made using this white soft cheese.
The softer non pressed version of the curdled milk is called chenna. When pressed by placing a heavy object over it, most of the water comes out from the curdled mass and its called paneer which can be cut into pieces, slices or grated before using.
Nutritional Value of Paneer
- Its a good source of protein for vegetarians
- Some believe that paneer is fattening. However, that is not true. What is fattening is how we prepare the paneer dish, with butter, cream, sugar etc. Paneer contains Linoleic acid which actually helps in burning body fat. Therefore, paneer is usually recommended as not just as a good protein source but also to help to burn body fat.
- Paneer is a rich source of calcium and phosphorus. Both are vital for good strong bones.
- Low in carbohydrates, paneer is good for diabetics as it helps to control sugar levels in the blood.
- Want to feel full for longer period of time? Then eat paneer as it helps to control hunger pangs.
How can you include paneer in your diet?
The amazing three basic properties of paneer, it cannot melt, it is not aged cheese and it soft makes it a versatile ingredient.
As A Starter or a Snack:
- Paneer and Naan Bites
- Paneer Samosa
- Palak Paneer Kachori
- Raw Banana and Paneer Pattis
- Dry Chilli Paneer
- Spinach Paneer and Corn Sandwich
- Paneer Chutney Sandwich
Salads and Paneer:
Paneer Curries and Main Dishes:
- Paneer Makhani(Paneer Butter Masala)
- Paneer Kundan Kaliya
- Raw Banana and Paneer Kofta Curry
- Spinach balls with Tagliatelline
- Paneer Lauki Kofta Curry
Breads with Paneer:
- Kulcha/Paneer Kulcha
- Vegetable Masala Buns
- Red Cabbage and Paneer Parathas
- Methi Paneer Bread (Fenugreek Cottage Cheese Bread)
- Corn Paneer Parathas
- Palak Paneer Paratha
Add Paneer to the Rice /Millet Dish:
Paneer Desserts – Super delicious
- Baklava Flavored Sandesh
- Mini Saffron and Fruity Chum Chum
- Chocolate Kalakand
- Komola Blog/Orange Flavored Rasgulla by Sujata
Breakfast with Paneer:
Ingredients Required For Date Paneer Cheesecake:
- Digestive Biscuits – or any other of your choice for the base. You can opt to use cracker biscuits for a totally sugar free dessert
- Melted Butter – To bind the biscuit crumb
- Paneer – Homemade is the best as its soft. However, you can use ready Malai Paneer as that tends to be soft.
- Whipping Cream – I’ve used sugar free one
- Dates – The soft variety are the best. Some suggestions are Medjool, Mazafati, Rabbi, Ajwa or any soft kind of dates.
- Milk – I’ve used dairy milk but you can use any of your choice.
- Hot Water – to bloom the gelatin
- Gelatin – Use the normal or vegetarian one. Gelatin helps to set the cheesecake.
- Honey, Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar– as additional sweetener if the sweetness from the dates is not enough.
- Vanilla Extract – for added flavour
- Pinch of Salt – to bring out the flavors
Dietary Tips:
- If you don’t consume gelatin then replace it with agar agar powder or use vegetarian gelatin.
- For a completely diabetic friendly dessert, use sugar free biscuits or cookies for the base.
- Replace honey, maple syrup or brown sugar with stevia or erythritol.
DATE PANEER CHEESECAKE
Ingredients
For the Crumb Base:
- 100 g digestive biscuits
- 2 tbsp butter melted
For the Date Paneer Cheesecake:
- 200 g paneer soft
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 75 g dates pitted and seeded
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 tbsp gelatin powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp honey, maple syrup, brown sugar optional
For the Topping:
- 3 pieces dates chopped
- 3 tbsp chocolate chips or nuts
Instructions
Preparation of the Crumb Base:
- Crush the digestive biscuits into a coarse powder. Must resemble bread crumbs.
- Add melted butter to biscuit crumb and mix till all the crumbs are coated with the fat.
- Divide the mixture between 4 containers like glasses or bowls.
- Gently press the biscuit crumb into the container. I pressed it down gently with a pestle.
Preparation of the Date Paneer Cheesecake:
- Sprinkle gelatin onto the hot water and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Whip the whipping cream till you get soft peak consistency.
- Add paneer,milk, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract and dates into a blender jug.
- Blend to a smooth consistency. Leave the mixture in the jug.
- Mix the gelatin water mixture, if the crystals have not melted then stand the bowl over hot water. Mix so the mixture is in a liquid form.
- Add the gelatin to the paneer date mixture. Process it for a few seconds.
- Pour the mixture over the whipped cream.
- Fold the whipped cream into the paneer date mixture.
- Divide equally between the 4 containers.
- Cover each contianer with a cling film and let it set in the firdge for at least 4-6 hours.
- I allowed mine to set overnight.
To Serve:
- Top it with chopped dates, nuts or chocolate chips and serve.
Tips:
- Adding honey, maple syrup or brown sugar depends on how sweet the dates are. Taste the mixture after you've blended it. If it is not sweet, add the sweetener of your choice. Can also use stevia.
- Make sure the paneer is soft otheriwse you will get a coarse cheesecake texture.
- Use biscuits of your choice.
Pin for Later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962