Indian paneer is a blank canvas. The cheese contributes richness, texture and protein to a host of dishes, the most famous being saag paneer. Tarush and Jasleen Agarwal, a couple originally from different cities in India, met while working in the tech industry in San Francisco and had trouble finding less processed vegetarian items like paneer. So they began making the cheese in their apartment. Now their company, Sach Foods, has introduced organic paneer in three flavors — plain, delicately flavored with turmeric or boldly fueled with habanero. The cheese doesn’t melt, and it can be grilled. Simply made from milk curdled with acid (the Agarwals use vinegar), paneer can work as a stand-in for firm tofu if you’re not vegan. Sach Foods sells it on its website and also at Whole Foods across the country.
Sach Foods Organic Paneer, $7.99 for six ounces, sachfoods.com.
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