East Indian Cheese Logs Recipes

HOMEMADE PANEER (FRESH INDIAN COTTAGE CHEESE)

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a large saucepan over medium high heat until the top becomes foamy, just as looks like it's about to boil.
• Turn stove off. Add lemon juice and stir for 1 minute. The milk should begin to curdle. If it doesn't, turn the stove back on and bring back to a gentle boil until the solids separate.
• Line strainer or colander: Place over a deep bowl. Line strainer with 2 layers of cheesecloth (Note 1).
• Strain: Ladle in half of the curdled milk to begin with, then pour the rest in. Leave until all the liquid drains - this might take 5 to 10 minutes.
• Rinse: Discard liquid (whey) in the bowl. Bundle the paneer up in the cheesecloth (it will still be quite watery at this stage) then rinse bundle briefly under cold tap water. This helps to remove lemon flavour + cool for easier handling.
• Squeeze out excess water by twisting the cheesecloth and squeezing the bundle, but not so hard that paneer squeezes out through the cloth. Once liquid no longer comes out, stop. The paneer will still be quite soft at this stage.
• Weigh cheese down with weights: Shape cheese into a disc around 2cm / ¾" thick, still wrapped in cheesecloth. Place in a strainer or colander set over a bowl. Top with a small plate then 2 x 400g/14oz cans (or similar weight).
• Refrigerate for 4 hours. During this time the paneer will set (become firm) and remaining liquid will drain out. (Note 2)
• Remove paneer from fridge and carefully unwrap. There will be a dent in the middle, this is normal (it's from the draining).
• At this stage, the paneer is now ready for use. You can either cut it immediately and use in a recipe (such as Palak Paneer!), or store the whole uncut block for another time and just cut when needed.
• Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for 3 months.

PANEER: HOMEMADE INDIAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a large colander with a large double layer of cheesecloth, and set it in your sink.
• In a large wide pot, bring the milk to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning the bottom (a nonstick pot works really well for this purpose). This will take a little while so be patient!
• Add the lemon juice and turn the heat down to low. Stirring gently, you should almost immediately see the curds (white milk solids) and whey (the greenish liquid) separate. Don't fret, this is perfect!
• Remove the pot from the heat and carefully pour the contents into the cheesecloth-lined colander. Gently rinse with cool water to get rid of the lemon flavor. At this point, you could squeeze out some of the liquid, and serve with some honey and some nuts, almost like a fresh ricotta!
• Grab the ends of the cheesecloth and twist the ball of cheese to squeeze out the excess whey. Tie the cheesecloth to your kitchen faucet and allow the cheese to drain for about 5 minutes.
• Twisting the ball to compact the cheese into a block, place it on a plate with the twisted part of the cheesecloth on the side (this will ensure your block of cheese is nice and smooth!) and set another plate on top. Weigh the second plate down with cans of beans or a heavy pot. Move to the refrigerator and let it sit about 20 minutes.
• Unwrap your beautiful disc of homemade cheese! You did it! You can now use this in any number of traditional Indian dishes, like saag paneer.

CREAM CHEESE LOG WITH SWEET-AND-SPICY CRANBERRY RELISH

Steps:

• For the cranberry relish: Pulse the jalapeno in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the cranberries; pulse until finely chopped (but not ground). Transfer to a bowl and stir in the sugar, scallions, orange zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• For the cream cheese log: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, shredded cheese, lime zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt with a wooden spoon or spatula until well blended. Mix in the cilantro. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap and form into an even 1-inch-diameter log. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Right before serving, unwrap the log and transfer it to a serving plate. Drain the cranberry mixture well, then carefully spoon a thick layer of it onto the cheese log, pressing all over to cover. Clean any spills from the serving plate and serve immediately with crackers or toasted bread.

A TRIO OF CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the garlic and white pepper and mix until well combined. Divide the mixture into 3 even portions; return one portion to the mixer.
• For the pizza cheese log: Add the pizza blend cheese to the cream cheese mixture and mix well until combined. Remove to a work surface and roll into a log with your palms. (The mixture should be slightly sticky but thick enough to easily roll.) Put the smoked paprika on a shallow dish; roll the log in the paprika until completely coated. Roll the cheese log in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Clean the mixer bowl and paddle.
• For the Cheddar Jack and parsley cheese log: Put a second portion of the cream cheese mixture in the mixer bowl. Add the Cheddar Jack cheese and mix well. Remove to a work surface and roll into a log with your palms. Put the dried parsley on a shallow dish and roll the cheese log in the parsley until completely coated. Roll the cheese log in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Clean the mixer bowl and paddle.
• For the sharp Cheddar pecan cheese log: Put the last portion of the cream cheese mixture in the mixer bowl and add the extra-sharp Cheddar. Mix well. Remove to a work surface and roll into a log with your palms. Place the whole pecans down the length of the cheese log. Put the chopped pecans on a shallow dish, then roll the log in the pecans. Use your fingers to press the pecans more firmly into the cheese. Roll the cheese log in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Unwrap the cheese logs and present on a large platter surrounded by plenty of crackers and cheese knives for easy self-service.

PISTACHIO AND POMEGRANATE CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, shredded cheese, chives, lemon zest and salt with a wooden spoon or spatula until well blended. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap and form into an even 1-inch-diameter log. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• In a small pot, combine the pomegranate juice, hot honey, sugar and cardamom. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then let the sauce cook and reduce until thickened, about 20 minutes. (It should coat the back of a spoon and have a glazelike consistency.) Keep warm or serve at room temp.
• Unwrap the cheese log and place on a platter. Garnish the log with the pistachios, pomegranate seeds and a generous drizzle of the pomegranate syrup. Serve with your favorite crackers.

RANCH DRESSING CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• In a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk and dressing mix. Add the Cheddar cheese and continue beating until thoroughly blended. Wrap the mixture in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes. When firm, shape the wrapped cheese mixture into a log. Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet or a piece of wax paper. Unwrap the cheese log and roll it in the nuts to coat it on all sides. Serve with crackers or bagel chips.

HOLIDAY GOAT CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• Pulse almonds in the bowl of a food processor until chopped. Add parsley and chives; continue to pulse until incorporated. Add cherries and process until everything is finely chopped and you have a nice mixture of red and green.
• Pour nut mixture onto a flat work surface and spread into a thin layer.
• Roll goat cheese log in the nut mixture until fully covered. Carefully pick it up and tap the ends of the log into the nut mixture to cover. Place on a serving dish.

BEST CHEESE LOG EVER!

Steps:

• Place cream cheese in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with electric beater until softened.
• Add cheddar, mayo, dill pickles, onions and Worcestershire sauce.
• Cover and chill until firm or overnight.
• Roll into logs and roll into real bacon bits.
• Serve with crackers.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• In a bowl mix together the first 7 ingredients until well blended.
• Divide the mixture in half and shape into logs.
• In a bowl mix together the nuts with the chopped parsley, then divide mixture evenly in half.
• Roll each log into the nut/parsley mixture (can use more than 1 cup nuts if desired).
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 8-24 hours.
• To freeze; chill the logs for 8-24 hours, then place in the freezer to freeze until firm, remove then wrap in plastic wrap then tightly in foil, place back into the freezer for up to 1 month.
• Defrost overnight in fridge before serving.