Paneer

Paneer is a moist fresh cheese with a soft and crumbly texture, made from pasteurized cow's milk or water buffalo's milk. Unlike most cheeses, paneer does not involve rennet in the production process, and that is what makes it completely vegetarian.

It has origins in India and Bangladesh, and has been mentioned in the Vedas, dating back to 6000 BC. Its name comes from the Persian and Turkish word for cheese, peynir. This cheese is often used in curries, especially in the north of India, and pairs well with strong and spicy flavors.

Paneer is also incorporated in a variety of other Indian dishes such as saag paneer (spinach), shahi paneer (cream, tomatoes, and spices), and the famous mattar paneer (peas and tomatoes). This cheese is so versatile that it's even used in kebabs.

Its softer, more crumbly version called chenna is often used to make a variety of popular desserts such as rasgulla and sandesh.