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Paneer is the star ingredient in some of my favorite Indian dishes -- and probably yours too. I often find myself scooping just one more nibble of chewy, milky-tasting paneer from the dish long after I'm officially full. Sure, you can buy this firm cheese at the store to make your own homemade curries, but where's the fun in that? If you have a pot, a strainer and some cheesecloth, you can have fresh homemade paneer cheese in about 30 minutes.

Paneer is a type of fresh cheese, meaning you can make it and eat it right away -- no aging or culturing required. It's also one of the easiest cheeses to make at home. All you need is milk, lemon juice or vinegar, and a bit of salt to season. When you mix the milk and lemon juice, the citric acid will cause the milk to separate into curds and whey. Remove the whey and press the curds, and you have a simple, basic cheese.

This cheese won't melt or get gooey the way mozzarella or cheddar will, but with paneer, this is actually an advantage. Because it won't melt, we can stir chunks into a soup or creamy curry, crumble it over flatbreads, or even skewer cubes onto kebabs -- and the cheese will keep its shape and chewy texture.

Paneer's mild flavor means it's best when paired with strong, spicy flavors, as in classic Indian curries or dishes like saag paneer. It's also nearly identical to Mexican queso fresco and Italian ricotta salata, and can usually be used in recipes calling for either of those ingredients.

As with making fresh ricotta, which shares some of the same steps, this process for making paneer works best if you're using whole milk. I've had success with 2 percent, but avoid skim or nonfat milk, as there just isn't enough milk fat left in the milk to actually separate into curds and whey. Also avoid using ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurized milk, as this pasteurization process changes the protein structure of the milk and prevents it from separating. Unfortunately, labels don't always make it clear when milk has been UHT pasteurized. If your milk won't separate into curds and whey, there's a good chance it was UHT pasteurized.

This fresh cheese won't last long in the fridge, so if you don't use it right away, definitely make sure you have plans for it within a few days. Personally, I'm not above sneaking leftover cubes straight from the fridge -- a perfectly acceptable midnight snack.

You'll need 1/2 gallon of milk, 1/4 cup lemon juice or vinegar, and a pinch of salt. (Double this recipe if desired)

Paneer Cheese

Makes about 10 ounces or 2 cups of cheese cubes.

1/2 gallon whole milk, not UHT pasteurized

1/4 cup lemon juice or vinegar

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt

Equipment:

4-quart saucepan

Slotted spoon

Strainer or colander

Mixing bowl

Cheesecloth, nut bag or other cloths for straining

Dinner plates

Weights, like a 32-ounce can of tomatoes

1. Pour the milk into the saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring the milk to a bare simmer -- just below the boil at around 200 F. Stir the milk occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure the milk doesn't scald. When ready, the milk will look foamy and steamy.

2. Remove the milk from heat and stir in the lemon juice. The milk should begin to curdle immediately, but it's OK if it doesn't.

3. Cover the milk and let stand for 10 minutes to give the acid time to completely separate the curds and whey. At the end of 10 minutes, the curds should be completely separated and the liquid should look yellow and watery. If the milk hasn't separated, try adding another tablespoon of acid. If it still won't separate, check your milk and be sure you are using non-UHT milk; this kind of milk won't separate.

4. Set a strainer or colander over a mixing bowl and line it with cheesecloth, a nut bag, or other straining cloth. Carefully scoop or pour the curds into the strainer, letting the whey collect in the bowl beneath.

5. Gather the cheesecloth in your hand and gently squeeze to remove the excess whey.

6. Open the cheesecloth and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of salt over the curds. Stir gently and taste. Add more salt if desired.

7. Transfer the curds (still in the cheesecloth) to a large dinner plate. Shape them into a rough square and then fold the cheesecloth tightly around the curds to form a neat rectangular package. Set a second plate on top of the package and weigh it down. Press for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.

Once pressed, your paneer is finished and ready to use. You can use it immediately or refrigerate for up to two days. Refrigerated paneer will be firmer and less likely to crumble than fresh paneer.

Recipe notes

--Whole vs. 2 percent vs. Non-Fat Milk: While whole milk is my favorite for making paneer; 2 percent milk can also be used, though the paneer is slightly less rich and creamy. Avoid using skim and nonfat milks; these don't separate as easily into curds and whey.

--Pasteurized Milk: Pasteurized milk is fine to use for making paneer, but avoid UHT (Ultra High Temperature) pasteurized milk as this process changes the protein structure of the milk, preventing it from separating.

--Using the Leftover Whey: The leftover whey can be used in place of water in any baking recipe, whizzed into smoothies or drunk on its own over ice.

(Emma Christensen is recipe editor of TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to kitchn@apartmenttherapy.com.)