Key Facts People Should Know About Panela vs Paneer

Paneer has always been one of the most popular ingredients in Indian cuisine. From using it to enhance a simple breakfast sandwich to winning hearts with shahi dishes, this delicacy adds an excellent taste to everything. 

Besides being a dairy product, it is also a good source of protein. You will not be able to forget the paneer’s soft and somewhat sweet taste once you take a bite of it.

With all that said, it is not easy to always find paneer in stores. Therefore, in today’s post, we will be telling you about a paneer substitute that is just as appetizing as paneer and can also be used in paneer-based recipes without altering the taste too much. 

Yes! We are talking about Panela, the Mexican Cheese. Scroll down to find out how this panela vs paneer showdown goes!

Is panela same as paneer?

Panela cheese is a type of cheese that originated in Mexico and is frequently used in a variety of cuisines there. It is made from pasteurized cow milk and is one of the most well-known and widely used paneer substitutes. Mexican Panela does not melt when cooked and retains its juiciness when cooled down like paneer or cottage cheese. 

Paneer or Indian cottage cheese is a kind of fresh acid-set cheese that is developed using buffalo or cow’s milk. Unlike panela, it is not sold with pepper sprinkled on top and is quite common in Asian subcontinents. 

Panela vs paneer is actually less significant if you compare their taste though. Both panela and paneer can be pan-fried & baked. They often soften post-cooking and are commonly used as an appetizer due to their mild flavor. 

Similarities between panela and paneer

Besides being made from similar ingredients, there are several additional similarities between these two varieties of cheese. 

  • Panela and paneer are good at absorbing other flavors like ginger-garlic paste, chili, and pepper.
  • Just like paneer, panela can easily be baked and pan-fried. Additionally, both of them are mostly eaten as fried appetizers as well. 
  • Along with not losing its shape while being cooked, panela also shares its milky taste and soft texture with paneer. 
  • Each kind has the ability to get crumbled easily for sandwich or burrito filling while also getting chopped into cubes for curries or soups. 
  • Both kinds of cheese are considered “fresh cheese” since they are prepared and consumed immediately or within a short time rather than being preserved.
  • Both of these dairy products are completely safe for gluten intolerants.

Did you know? Eating paneer has plenty of benefits for pregnant women. Click here to understand why eating paneer while pregnant is an excellent idea!

Panela vs paneer: What are the differences?

Despite the above similarities that we have demonstrated between panela and paneer, we are aware that you will also be seeking differences between the two. 

After all, they are not the same type of cheese, right? So, in order to put your mind at ease, we’ve compiled a list of some differences between the two, which you should be aware of before substituting panela for paneer in your recipes.

Nutritional Facts 

Nutrients and Calories per 28gPanela Paneer 
Calories 80 Kcal80 Kcal
Protein 5g6g
Carbs2g1g
Fat6g5g

Method of preparation

As we all know, paneer is produced entirely from fresh milk, with a small amount of lemon juice added to get the desired consistency. 

However, there is one extra element utilized in the creation of panela, and that is salt. The use of salt in the panela-making process is intended to create a balanced or comparable taste to paneer.

To add extra taste to panela, some people also add diced bell peppers and chopped chipotle chili and the salt. 

Texture

Paneer is a more firm type of cheese that can be cooked at higher temperatures. Panela is semi-soft and flexible. It’s lightly salted and can be eaten as a snack without being cooked or sliced and used as a sandwich filler in a variety of ways.

How to quickly melt queso panela basket?

In order to quickly melt the queso panela basket, preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit) for 10 minutes. Placing the cheese on an oven-safe dish and baking for 20 minutes in the center of the oven will yield the best results. 

The cheese will soften and become gooey, but it will not totally melt. Allow cooling somewhat before serving with corn chips, country bread, or any other rustic bread of your choice. 

What is cooked paneer supposed to look like?

It becomes slightly brown on the exterior and chewy in the interior when the cubes of paneer are fried in a skillet with a little oil. Cooked paneer is most often served with rice or curries.

What do you use panela cheese for?

Panela cheese can be used in a variety of ways, as detailed below.

  • Crumbled panela cheese can be used as a topping for a variety of dishes such as huevos rancheros, tacos, quesadillas, nopal salads, and more.
  • Panela slices are also served tucked into corn tortillas for a quick and simple no-cook snack.
  • Because panela cheese retains its structure when fried, thick slices can be fried in olive oil. An easy hack is to serve fried panela with lime juice and cilantro on a plate.
  • Try baking panela cheese instead of melting it; the panela will soften rather than melt, making it spreadable on tortilla chips or crackers.

Some other cheese varieties aside from panela and paneer are Queso fresco and Queso blanco. Find out how they pit against paneer here: 

Can I make my own panela at home? 

Absolutely! You can quickly and simply prepare your panela at home with raw milk in about an hour or two. Here’s how. 

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