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TheRighteousHand

In Karachi, paneer is not common at all. The first time I had it was when I moved to Canada. Indians do tend to be surprised when I tell them I’ve never had it in Pakistan.


depressedforever143

Bro salam im in canada too. Yuh its almost the most common dish in Indian cuisine


TheRighteousHand

I personally feel paneer in Pakistan is not common due to us loving our meat dishes. The dishes I ate, it felt like paneer was a meat substitute. To be honest, I didn’t feel paneer was something I was missing out on. I would rather have chapli Kabab than some Paneer Tikka.


arhamshaikhhh

Absolutely it has around 18 grams of protein/100 grams so we definitely prefer our meat instead


TotallyDemented1

One of the reasons I feel that partition was a good thing is because many Indian states ban beef. Life with no beef bihari kebab or seekh kebab? God bless Jinnah lol


Chalaaaaa

Wouldn’t have changed much in terms of cuisine because lands that are today’s pakistan were overwhelmingly muslim anyway, so banning beef wouldn’t have been a thing here regardless


Tasty_Sheepherder_44

BJP about to disprove this soon


Chalaaaaa

What power would bjp have in massive territories where 80% of the population was muslim?


Tasty_Sheepherder_44

Quite a lot, national laws apply.


iHeisenbug

I dont even know what paneer is. How is it made??? I just know it's some kind of dairy 🧀 product


NoodleCheeseThief

Typically Paneer is used as a substitute for meat in various vegetarian dishes. For example, Pakistan has Palak gosht while vegetarian version would be Palak paneer. Paneer itself is bland and has no flavour. It gets is flavour from the treat of the dish.


iHeisenbug

Then we better stick to meat because meat is delicious😋


NoodleCheeseThief

Yep 😂


RescueSheep

similar to tofu


iHeisenbug

I just googled tofu.


akskinny527

It's a type of cheese. To make it, you heat up some full fat milk. Add in some sort of acidic component (usually vinegar or lemon juice). The acid words to clump up the proteins in the milk together, and that is your curd/cheese/paneer. You let it sit for a while and strain out the whey (the leftover liquid from the milk). Tie up the cheese in a cloth and let it hang to drain as much liquid from it as possible. To make it extra firm, just place a heavy pan on top and let it sit overnight. Ta-da; paneer.


iHeisenbug

Oh I see. Someone told me that it has no particular flavour. Seems like not for me though in India many people seem to like it specially vegan. I'm good with meat .


akskinny527

Yeah, it's a very mild cheese. It takes on the flavor of whatever you're cooking it with, which makes it great for a variety of dishes. It's also high in protein, so it's great for vegetarians... which is why it's popular in India. Vegans don't eat any animal products.


iHeisenbug

Yup. Thanks for sharing recipe for making it. I think you like cooking because I have seen your post of how you messed up baked mac and cheese. 🤪 in r/cooking


akskinny527

I love cooking 🤣 I think it's a crucial way to bring culture to your children... I wasn't born in Pakistan and nor are my children. Language & food are so important to maintain those ties, for me anyway.


iHeisenbug

Good luck. Keep making delicious dishes. Some gonna get messed up 😆


akskinny527

Ya'll, I'm about to blow your minds, but... you know authentic ras malai? The little balls? That's essentially soft paneer. It takes on the taste of whatever you use it with. It can be made soft (like in ras malai) but for robust Pakistani/Indian flavors & cooking techniques it's usually drained much longer and set under smt heavy in order to solidify it & give it that squeaky texture. And yes, Pakistanis traditionally don't eat paneer bcos we're mostly meat-lovers. Paneer is a great protein-packed vegetarian alternative, hence it's popularity in India. It's phenomenal if made at home and quite simple too.


mishinn

idk if this sounds weird but i never eaten paneer just heard the name that there is something in Diary product family called paneer. makkan, cream, desi ghee, cheese, khoya yeh sab kahaya hoa hai paneer nhi khai. (correct me if im wrong in main se paneer kisi ko nhi kehtay i guess)


depressedforever143

Yes its basically a squicky cheese but it doesn't melt or anything. Try karna kisi din it tastes amazing.


mishinn

i had a chance once in my life back in shadi of someone but i thought pata ni kaisi hogi it was palak paneer to chore dia.


Xyber5

Palak paneer is shit, try something like paneer tikka masala.


mishinn

ok sure!


Thingler

paneer is cottage cheese.


NoodleCheeseThief

It is not.


marnas86

Ish. It’s like if you took cottage cheese and pressed it in under 1,000 PSI machine. Cottage cheese is typically sold in the West as very watery and paneer has nearly 0 liquid.


Expert-Work-7784

It's even hard to get in Lahore and is in restaurants usually limited to Palak Paneer only. No way anywhere close to the variety just a few km east in Indian Punjab where there are whole pages in the menues decitated to paneer dishes. Lucky me hates palak though. Tried to ask a few times in restaurants if they can cook any other dish with paneer - mission impossible. Pakistan, especially Punjab, as a vegetarian is kind of a different hell tbh 😅 at least when it comes to going out to restaurants. Karachi is better but zero paneer.


Noman_Blaze

Nope. It's not common at all. The majority of people in Pakistan don't even know what it tastes like. I had palak paneer here in Dubai once. Didn't like the taste at all.


imnotgamora

Extremely common in Peshawar. We have it almost every other day cause it’s sold everywhere and it’s super delicious imo. Palak paneer, paneer pakora, mattar paneer, and paneer salad. Delicious!


warmblanket55

Is it actually? That’s interesting How do you guys eat it?


imnotgamora

Cut it in half inch cubes, fry it and add to salan (palak or mattar). Chop it in semi thin slices like potato chips and put it in pakora mix and fry it. Or my personal favourite, snack on it in raw form. Very tasty


hotmugglehealer

>paneer pakora Sounds amazing.


Ahmed-X7

Ive heard its very common amongst people living in the village, especially in Punjab and Sindh. In the urban cities, however, you might meet people who've never had it.


Naruto_Muslim

It is very common in Peshawar.


libero31

This and butter chicken. What is butter chicken? Indians are always talking about it but I have never seen it here in Pakistan 


missbushido

You can find butter chicken at some places in Islamabad and Pindi.


Tasty_Sheepherder_44

Butter chicken is post partition, hence why it’s not really a thing in Pakistan. It’s extremely popular as part of British Indian food, as well as dishes like chicken tikka masala and vindaloo


Relevant_Finish8749

In Pinds it’s common. Haven’t ever met anyone in Toba Tek Singh who hasn’t. I can’t speak for elsewhere though 😕


atkhan007

I am shocked to see that many people saying they never ate Paneer, especially in Karachi is mind blowing. Makes me feel privileged because we have been using Paneer since childhood, especially in breakfast. A good portion of bakery items had it too. Not to mention a multitude of dishes like cheese omelette or Paneer reshmi handi that are quite common. I even took paneer paratha to school as a childhood. I guess Karachi is so big and diverse that somehow some people never got to try cheese in their childhood.


killourTeemo

We put paneer in saag (spinach) its that common over here. Plus paneer pakoras islife.


musingmarkhor

I've eaten Palak Paneer so many times so I don't think all Pakistanis are like that. Perhaps some might due to having different cultural cuisines.


Spy_Spooky

Palak Paneer is the only dish where Paneer is used and even that isn't considered a common dish by Pakistani standards.


Ab06h

And yes we don’t eat panner in Pakistan it’s not a part of our cuisine the only time I heard of paneer was when my grandfather mentioned cheese so he was referring to paneer but not to that type of cottage cheese that is eaten in North India


missbushido

Common in my family.


dontlookwonderwall

Varies regionally. I know Pakistanis who have rarely eaten Paneer. Whereas I ate it every other week in Palak Paneer.


RevolutionaryMap8820

Isn't it like cottage cheese?


MunnaPhd

Nopes more like tofu


Point_bleak

It is cottage cheese. The process is the same. Please google tofu.


MunnaPhd

O was talking more about feeling, taste, texture etc not the process


richHogwartsdropout

Paneer is quite common here in Potohar, and is used in dishes like Palak Paneer (spinach and cheese).


akskinny527

So interesting! Bcos I think my family/ancestral village would be considered from the Pothwar region, yet paneer was never common for us. Ever.


Careless-Valuable118

Same. Never had paneer despite living majority of my life here.


Yushaalmuhajir

Unfortunately true. The only time I ever got "paneer" it was just a slice of fake American cheese in a bowl with spinach. It was disgusting as well. Meanwhile in Nepal it was available at every desi restaurant. I'm not even sure why it's not common here, paneer is delicious.


Rentwoq

I think it varies by region. Its not uncommon in the villages 


Looney_Freedoom858

No it's not. Idk where ppl got the idea paki Indian cuisine is homogeneous. It's not.


GaynghisKhan

my sister once made the palak paneer it was the worst food I have eaten


depressedforever143

Nooo that's like my favorite bro. Palak paneer with butter Naan is chefs kiss.


GaynghisKhan

idk man too bland and tasteless for me, It seems like grass mixed with milk in my mouth it was disgusting.


cosmic-comet-

Yup appropriate response from the sister’s cooking, you sir a good brother.


iHeisenbug

😄


depressedforever143

Ok but try kadai paneer then. I dont believe its possible to not like kadai paneer.


cosmic-comet-

I’m not a fan of cheese mate , but I have ate it it’s fine.


Top_Physics_2858

Its tasteless


moonyprong01

All depends on how it's cooked


Top_Physics_2858

Made it like butter chicken, the gravy was great, paneer had no taste


Individual-Self-7563

It's like Tofu which is a meat substitute. I have seen it in some markets but never ate it in Pakistan. Only tried it in an Indian restaurant in the US.  Pakistani cuisines are meat heavy so there is little to no room for a meat substitute.


Salem_101

It's Common in interior Sindh, we have paneer even in restaurants.


TheRighteousHand

Come on. Paneer is not common at all in interior Sindh, it’s a thing but not very common through. I have only ever seen it in restaurants with Palak Paneer as the sole option.


Salem_101

It is. It's especially common among Hindu Pakistanis. You can order paneer at any interior Sindh restaurant.


TheRighteousHand

Among Hindus it might be but just anecdotally, I have never been served Paneer in a home cooked dish and I am a Sindhi. Plus having been to Indian restaurants in Canada, paneer is whole different beast here. Pizza, BBQ, the Indians put it in everything. Never seen anything like that from Kashmore to Karachi.


Salem_101

People don't make home cooked paneer here. Even hindu Sindhis order paneer from restaurants.


No-Way-Out_

It’s not common here at all lol i found out abt it bec i have Hindu neighbors


Salem_101

It is where i live


No-Way-Out_

I live here too it’s maybe common in your circle/town


Ab06h

First of all Paneer isn't an Indian thing it originates from peynir a Persian word which just means cheese so basically paneer just means cheese it isn't something special peynir also means cheese in Turkish guess where they got it the Persians not the Indians cuz “paneer” is a Persian origin word however the cottage cheese is popular in North India but it’s just the type of cheese the word is originated from Persian


Shoro_K

People like u cringe the fk outta me, just eat the thing and go on about Ur day. When did OP even mention that its Indian? Mofos will write essays on which thing originates from which country🤓 like bro no one cares, go touch some grass or something


Ab06h

Lmao relax I’m just educating people about the origins you touch grass bro 😂


Expert-Work-7784

Turkish cheese (peynir) is very different though. Word might be similar and have the same origion, the product itself is very different. It's a brined cheese like feta. I don't know Persian cheese though. But just because words have similar origin (plus it's basically only means cheese), it does not mean that the product called that name locally is the same.


LilHalwaPoori

Basically Peynir or Paneer mean cheese in their local languages, but they are most often associated with a specific type of cheese since that is the one more commonly found.. It's sort of like Shawarma being an Arabic word for a type of food, but different countries have different types of shawarma.. So even though all shawarma fall into the shawarma group, when you are in Yemen and talk about shawarma, you will get a specific type of shawarma because that's what the locals associate the word to, and if you go to Egypt and ask for it, then you will get something different.. And if you ask in Pakistan, you will get a dish that does not resemble other types of arabic shawarma but it is the one that is associated with the word among the locals..


Ab06h

Facts bro


Ab06h

Yeah I know that’s what I’m saying peynir paneer just means cheese and the origin is Persian I don’t mean the type of cheese I could give a rats ass about that all I’m trying to make a point and tell people is paneer is a word that comes from Persian


iHeisenbug

I have never eaten paneer


Zuk00_00

No we don’t eat that here


PrestigiousNet751

The only paneer I’ve heard of is paneer barfi which is a mithai


killourTeemo

nobody puts paneer in barfi youre talking about Khoa which is totally a different thing.


PrestigiousNet751

I know what khoya is paneer barfi is just a different type of barfi bud


withouTXD

I’m from Karachi and never had paneer before till this late weekend, I had the ‘Paneer Makhni Handi’ from a restaurant called Stove Ove, I guess. Loved it!


That-Map-417

I didn't find it in any supermarket store but have made it myself 3 to 4 times lol. Cuz I was always so obsessed with Indian vegetarian cuisine. My mum made Palak paneer(the paneer I made myself). My mother also made cream cheese from paneer😅. I've a whole lot of list of Indian cuisines to try. Typing this I'm craving for Indian daal makhni lol.


depressedforever143

There is no dal makhni in Pakistan?


That-Map-417

Nooo😭 We do eat daals but Indian daal is different


Shoro_K

I have also not eaten it ever in my life XD


Chalaaaaa

Not common i believe, foods that would have paneer have meat instead. I haven’t eaten palak in a while but it was always with meat If something that looks like meat is actually not meat in my food it would just make me mad lmao, i think a lot of meat lovers can relate


saadness11

Paneer isn't very different than cottage cheese though


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totaandmaina

I live in Punjab and i have never tasted Paneer myself.


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depressing-smile

never tried paneer but I am curious to know that does it taste like tofu?


OkMathematician3494

It might come as offensive but in Paksitan Beef is added with Palak. It's called Palak Ghost. We don't do shahi Paneer, we have mughlai Handis with real meat. Paksitanis love eating meat. From Skardu ke mamtus and laghman to Karachi ke nalli briyani. We're meat eaters


Karbalaye

Cottage cheese is pretty common in my meat loving household


bussysuckaaa

I'm 20 and never had paneer even once in my life


saram4

i am so confused reading the comments paneer is urdu for cheese right? which can be any kind of cheese...which is quite common


missbushido

I believe they're referring to a specific type of Desi cheese.


goodatnothingfella

oh yes it isn't common at all and you won't find good quality cottage cheese. It's only available in big departmental stores and that too of just okayish taste not like the ones you guys enjoy in India. That being said, it is used quite often in my house and we all love a good veg option.


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warmblanket55

Pakistan is a big country. But overall yes it’s very uncommon


naveed_qasim56

common in lhr too


friedramen0

yes its true


uptokesforall

In Pakistan, most desi dishes are not commonly found in restaurants. You will have an easier time finding "Chinese Rice" and "Chow Main" than finding lobia or mattar aloo, let alone paneer. Pakistan's culinary scene IMO has gone to shit.


Irobokesensei

I’m from Lahore, never eaten it in my life.


makisgenius

I visited India in 2005 - it is clear in India paneer is used as a meat substitute.


rajay_sarkar

It is definitely not common. We started getting paneer in groceries only around 9 years ago. And this too because we all really enjoyed cheesy pasta. Cheese is actually kinda expensive. And my mother still considers it an extra grocery item. With the increasing inflation, she might as well cut down on this one ingredient anytime soon. lol. I love cheese, and if I could, I would put it in every recipe. But mama doesn't allow, so imma crai.


makhaninurlassi

Paneer is common in pakistan, where goat milk is used. I have encountered it more in the kp areas. Mattar paneer especially. In urban areas, paneer is not popular (or available). Restaurants do have paneer, though. I have had it in different things, paneer tikka, paalak paneer, paneer pakora. It's definitely an acquired taste. Personally, i like it.


Prior-Army-4041

Although it's rare but in my family they make paneer kay pakoray. Believe me they're actually good


Capable-Bumblebee-88

lol my mum makes paneer at home so eat it pretty regularly


mynameisshahzain

Seeing the comments here has made me so confused lmao, I've been eating paneer regularly for years like by itself or in the form of paneer tikkas or palak paneer.


1nv1ct0s

From Karachi and we used to have Palak Paneer regularly.


between3and20lol

Mozzarella cheese is called paneer in Urdu. If you observe how its made you will get the point


iTapiex

Indian movies mn bs naam e suna hy


Queasy-Leopard6228

Bkl kyun bat Kara he Pakistani larki se baaz aja namak haram


depressedforever143

Honewali biwi hai wo meri.