Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Chef Mireille
Paneer Payasam – Indian Cheese Pudding – An Indian milk pudding made with paneer – a firm Indian cooking cheese.
Many diets advocate high protein low carb meals. As a largely carnivorous society, when we think of protein the first thing that comes to mind is meat. #MeatlessMonday has been a growing trend in recent years and usually people have some kind of recipe with beans to make sure they are still getting their protein. In the protein conversation, people often forget about dairy. Dairy is a very good source of protein and many cultures have a form of cooking cheeses. That is, cheeses that wont melt when cooked. They react to cooking much the same way meat does and can be grilled, fried, roasted or stewed.
Cooking Cheeses
- Paneer – Paneer is a very common cooking cheese in India. It is very versatile and is used in many different recipes from appetizers to curries to desserts. Although I am presenting a sweet dish today, check out some of my savory recipes. You can find paneer in Indian supermarkets as well as many generic supermarkets with good International sections, as it has gained popularity in recent years.
Paneer Recipes
- Halloumi – is a cheese from Cypress, but it is utilized throughout the Middle East. It is most often either fried or grilled. Here are a few ways halloumi can be utilized.
Halloumi Recipes
- Queso de Freier – is the frying cheese from Latin America. Used throughout South & Central America as well as the Spanish speaking Caribbean, it is most often eaten with breakfast like in this Costa Rican Breakfast
This week I am going to be presenting some recipes for these cooking cheeses so you can bring your Meatless Monday to the next level!
I am a big fan of milky puddings and custards for dessert. Known as Payasam in southern India and Kheer in northern India, these milk puddings are very common in India and can be made with any type of ingredients from grains to fruits and vegetables. One really unique one I made recently is Watermelon Pith Kheer. The next time you buy a watermelon, how about avoiding some food waste and trying this kheer that utilizes the white part of the watermelon.
Paneer Payasam – Indian Cheese Pudding is a fabulous chilled dessert is perfect for the approaching summer season.
I had originally made this payasam when making this mini Bengali Thali. It’s taken over a year but finally all the recipes have been posted. Of course, I did remake this one as it was so delicious I didn’t mind, for this post.
If you’d like to recreate this thali, here are the recipes!
Bengali Thali
Mishti Pulao – Sweet & Savory Spiced Rice
Chingri Macher Kalia – Shrimp & Potato Curry
Alu Chorchori – Potato Dry Curry
Cholar Dal – Coconut Milk Dal
Paneer Payasam – Indian Cheese Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup grated paneer
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- sliced almonds chopped pistacchios, preserved rose (garnish as desired)
Instructions
- Combine milk and sweetened condensed milk in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
- Over medium heat, bring milk to a boil.
- Add paneer and cook on a high simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add rose water and stir to combine.
- Transfer to refrigerator and chill.
- Serve, garnished with almonds, pistacchios and preserved rose as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Do you know anyone else who likes learning about international food, culture, history and travel? Bring them over here to join the party! Don’t forget to use those share buttons! 
Start Here to find out how the Schizo Chef can help you with your cooking, travel and other needs!
Would you like to check out some more Indian recipes?
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#88
Thats a lot of information!!! Good read! And that payasam looks beautiful
thanks you and glad you enjoyed the read Farah
Paneer payasam is creamy and looks sinfully delicious
thank you – it was 🙂
That is a delicious payasam for sure. It looks very creamy. I will try this version for myself as paneer is one of the proteins I have regularly in my diet.
I am sure you will love it – it was nice and creamy
Paneer kheer is one of the richest kheer and you have made it so well . Looks gorgeous , and tempting , one of my favourite kheer .
thank you – I’m glad I did it justice 🙂
The presentation is lovely, thick and creamy topped with nuts for garnish.
thank you yes the payasam is so thick to balance the garnish
My mouth is just watering here, how delightful and droolworthy this paneer payasam looks. Cant ask anything more. Delicious sweets.
it is so nice and creamy – really a delicious payasam!
I’ve come across quite a fe paneer payasam recipes but still haven’t made some as yet. Its on my to do list. Like your tip of soaking ready made paneer in water for a few minutes. I love all sorts of kheers.
I only learned that recently after talking with some Indian bloggers I met at a blogging conference recently – it was a great tip!
The paneer kheer looks so rich and delicious! Storebought paneer here is quite soft so wondering if I can grate them and use, though not sure of the same… Love the final look with the garnishing…
if not, just crumble the paneer – I think it would have the same effect
We love paneer payasam as well, Mir. You have presented it so well, I am tempted to make yet again.
yes – anytime is paneer payasam time!
Such a fabulous share…it’s absolutely drool worthy..and made it to perfection.. bookmarked your recipe
thank you – I am sure you will enjoy this version
Paneer Payasama looks fantastic and creamy. Perfectly made Mir, it’s been a while since i had prepared any payasam at home, now you’re tempting me with your post.
oh I love all varieties of payasam and I am sure you will love this version
That is a very informative post! Lovely read. And the payasam sounds delicious….paneer lends itself to sweet and Savory dishes so amazingly well. Love this one with condensed milk!
yes unlike the other cooking cheeses, paneer is not salted and therefore very versatile
I have always wanted to try paneer payasam, but wasn’t sure if I’d like it or not. I don’t like tasting ‘milk’, but your clicks and recipe with condensed milk is tempting me to give this payasam a try some time soon.
you and your milk aversion – ha ha – this one is so thick and creamy with the paneer I think milk is in the background as opposed to liquidy kheer/payasam
I remember Paneer payasam when we discussed it on the BM group Mir! The payasam is awesome.
thanks – yes it definitely was delicious
Paneer payasam looks very rich and inviting and you have presented it very beautifully.
thank you – yep its a nice creamy pudding