Indiana Cheese Ball Food

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.

MINI INDIAN CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat Basic Cheese Ball Ingredients with electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment on medium speed until combined.
• Stir in Flavor Stir-Ins. With moistened hands, shape into 1-inch balls; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze up to 1 month.)
• In small bowl, stir together Coating ingredients. Roll balls in mixture to coat before serving. Serve with naan bread, as desired.

RAS GULLA (INDIAN CHEESE BALLS IN SUGAR SYRUP )

Steps:

• Bring milk to boil and add salt. Remove from heat and add yogurt into it. Stir gently until all the milk curdles. Strain the curdled milk in a thin muslin cloth. Squeeze gently until all the liquid is gone. You now have paneer.
• Put the paneer in a large bowl and knead with the palms of your hand until it becomes smooth and soft.
• Add the flour and bicarbonate of soda and knead a few more minutes. Roll and shape into small balls, the size of a ping-pong ball.
• Dissolve the sugar in the water over gentle heat. Set aside half the syrup.
• Bring the other half to boil and gently slip in the balls of paneer. Simmer for 10 minutes and then raise the heat, adding a little water to thin the syrup if necessary. The rasgullas are done when the float to the surface.
• Drain and put them in the syrup that was set aside.
• Sprinkle with rose water.
• Serve cold.

THE BEST CHEESEBALL

Steps:

• In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, green bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt. Mix together and form mixture into a ball. Roll ball in cilantro and serve with your favorite crackers.

DEB'S CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in cheeses, leek, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, chives, pepper flakes, onion powder, seasoned salt, oregano and 1 teaspoon minced parsley., Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Shape into a ball and roll in walnuts and remaining parsley; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour longer. Serve with crackers.

INDIANA CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients, except the nuts and crackers. Beat till well combined.
• Cover and chill for 3 to 4 hours.
• Shape mixture into a ball or log. Roll in pecans to coat. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Serve with crackers.