Recipe of an Indian soft cheese made at home with Rennet. Topli na Panir
by Rita Jamshed Kapadia
Topli or Tokri means Basket in Indian Gujarati.
Recipe of an Indian soft cheese made at home with Rennet. (Topli na Paneer) Many easy ways to make them and enjoy!
Topli na Panir Basket
By Rita Jamshed Kapadia
Recipe (with rennet tablets)
Makes 4 – 5 approx
Ingredients
4 Cups Milk
2 tsp salt (optional for taste only, does not help in formation of panir)
2 – 5 Rennet Junket tablets
Method:
1. Warm the milk slightly, it should not be hot. (Hint put your finger in the warm milk it should be warm)
Put in the tablet of rennet.
Wash and dry small paneer baskets. Or use the Tea Stainers as shown.
At the bottom of each basket, sprinkle 1/2 tsp of salt, then pour curd mixture over, fill to the top of the basket. This is optional, I did not use salt, it is NOT needed to make the panir. Prefer the soft creamy taste without salt.
Place the basket over a glass so that the water drains into it. Leave to form overnight or for 8 hours. (see video below)
When cheese is firm and water is drained off, overturn the cheese out carefully.
Collect drained water from each glass add this whey into a large bowl.
Insert the cheese into it to store. You will see the basket indentations and if you like you can create designer paneer!
PHOTO: If you do not have a basket, stay calm, use tea strainer.
Panir in whey
These are made from “Rennet” which is a package powder and found in Supermarkets.
Where to buy RENNET?
You can buy the rennet here:
Rennet for making Topli na Paneer
Health Tip: This topli nu paneer is very good for digestion and is the most effective taken first thing in the morning as breakfast.
Vera
Dec 12, 2014, 1:07 amHello Rita,
The recipe for “topli na Paneer” sounds very easy to make. I used to love these. However, the question is, from where do I get these baskets?
Is there any other alternative in making this without the baskets?
Thanks.
Vera
Rita
Dec 12, 2014, 10:16 amHi Vera,
Yes you can make them. You do not need the baskets. These are just a “container” where the paneer water can drain out.
Do we need a pot(or a old fashioned patio) just from India to make dhansak? No.
Use any strainer, like a tea strainer. Plastic or steel either will do.
Peri’s Spice Ladle
Dec 12, 2014, 12:21 pmThrilled to see this recipe, Rita, used to be such favorite of ours as kids. While regular paneer is still common, somehow this concept died down, so happy you’ve revived it. Have a great holiday season.
Rita
Dec 12, 2014, 12:34 pmThanks! My favorite too, I was under 10 years of age when in Surat, but still remember them.
There is a story behind how they are delivered to the customers. In the old days, if you lived on a multi-story building (say third floor), to avoid climbing up the stairs, the paneer walla would deliver the paneer in a “topli” (large basket) hung by a rope from the third floor window or balcony. In the morning when the lady of the house wakes up, she pulls up the rope + basket to get her paneer!
Happy Holidays!
Rita
mas
Dec 12, 2014, 8:46 amthanks forthe delicious recipes..wishing u Happy Christmas peaceful 2015..God bless u and family..Gooloo Mehta
Topli na Paneer – 3 ways to make them! | PARSIS.IN
Jan 1, 2015, 7:48 pm[…] Topli na Paneer are small soft cheeses which are made in baskets (topli is gujarati word for basket, hence the name). These paneers are kept in earthenware pots in their whey. In Surat which is reputed to have the finest Continue reading → […]
Original Recipes of the Parsi way of cooking in India
Apr 4, 2015, 6:03 pm[…] Paneer – famous topli na paneer […]
zarine
Feb 2, 2016, 3:54 amHI Rita how much Rennet powder should be put in one litre of milk?
Parsi Cuisine
Feb 2, 2016, 10:56 amZarine for 4 cups that is 1 Litre milk put in 2 tablets of junket rennet.
2 cups add 1 tablet and let it sit fir 30 minutes to form the start of the panir.
Rita
Mehroo
Mar 3, 2016, 9:35 amDoes anyone make Parsi Paneer in Mumbai to sell?/
Making a case for topli na paneer, a little-known but much-loved Parsi dish – Indian Parsi Cuisine
Nov 11, 2016, 5:41 pm[…] – it is the season of giving!!! I have put out all 3 recipes here on my blog – http://parsicuisine.com/topli-na-paneer-3-ways-to-make-them/ […]
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Sep 9, 2018, 6:09 pm[…] Topli na Panir […]
Zarir Oomrigar
Jan 1, 2019, 4:01 amI regularly make topli na paneer…also learnt here about uses of whey & Will follow accordingly
Rita
Jan 1, 2019, 10:30 amZarir, you will find this topli na panir similar to very soft (and expensive) western cheeses. A delight to have and savor.
Life Diet Health
Jan 1, 2019, 1:44 pmYou make it sound so easy! I might set it as a challenge to the boys! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
Rita
Jan 1, 2019, 5:08 pmYou are right it is not easy, I had a few failed attempts at this cheese making. 🙂 🙂
Rita
Jan 1, 2019, 5:19 pmThank you Zarir for dropping a line, do stay in touch.
Life Diet Health
Jan 1, 2019, 3:44 amWe love a challenge! 😀
Zenobia
Apr 4, 2020, 7:55 amDear Rita,
I tried making paneer the other day.
My proportion was 1lt full cream milk 1 rennet tab.
I followed the same process as it mentioned above.
My paneer did not set. It was little watery and it broke while removing from topli.
Pls help as to what should I do so tht it sets into a perfect ball.
Rita
Apr 4, 2020, 3:36 pmRegret your Paneer did not not turn out well.
Try using more rennet next time. Use regular milk.
I have heard certain milks do not set.
Where are you located?
Rita
Zenobia
Apr 4, 2020, 7:49 amDear Rita! Thanks for your response! I m from pune. India. I will try again with some other brand milk.
Does the size n shape of topli matters when u want to drain the whey?
Rita
Apr 4, 2020, 12:06 pmNo, the size and shape does not matter. I like to keep it so 1 person enjoys the whole Panir.
As you know probably the Topli (basket) traditionally is round as it is in Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Delhi and other cities in India.
Living in USA, I use tea stainers with muslin cloth and the panir comes out smal and round. I have seen people using large round containers of 6 inches diameter, to drain and then get a large round. Cut it up and enjoy.
Hindus even press it out in rectangles and cut into cubes.
Each size and shape probably gives a visual enjoyment and use in dishes. I like our soft small roundlets.
Love,
Rita
Rita
dimple panthaki
Feb 2, 2021, 9:46 pmHi Rita!
Does the milk have to be raw? I mean not pasteurized? Can I use the regular whole milk available in USA?
Thanks!
Dimple
Rita Jamshed Kapadia
Feb 2, 2021, 8:17 amYes.regular milk 4 percent fat is fine.
Anonymous
Jul 7, 2021, 9:07 amIs there a veg substitute for rennet?
Rita Jamshed Kapadia
Jul 7, 2021, 9:31 amYes .
Anonymous
Nov 11, 2022, 2:21 pmI have renett powder… so how much to put in 1 ltr milk for topli na paneer
ParsiCuisine.com
Nov 11, 2022, 6:43 pmI use 2 tablets of rennet, which are probably like 1 tsp powder. Try with one tsp and see if paneer forms, add more if needed.
Rita