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Paneer

पनीर
puh-NEER

Paneer (पनीर) is a Persian-origin word used in Indian English, meaning fresh, unaged Indian cheese — the vegetarian protein of the north. In crosswords it is the 6-letter answer PANEER (6).

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Meaning & usage

Paneer is a fresh, non-melting cheese made by curdling hot milk with lemon juice or vinegar and pressing the curds into a firm block. Bland on its own, it absorbs flavour beautifully — hence paneer tikka, palak paneer, shahi paneer, paneer butter masala. For much of vegetarian North India it plays the role meat plays elsewhere on the plate.

In a sentence

The palak paneer at her aunt's wedding ruined every other one.

Common spelling variants

  • Panir

Paneer is the English spelling used in MG Mini puzzles.

Paneer as a crossword answer

Paneer is a 6-letter answer. A typical clue:

“Fresh, unaged Indian cheese — the vegetarian protein of the north” (6)

Category: Food Origin: Persian Script: Hindi

Related words

  • Ghee — Clarified butter — Indian cooking fat with a high smoke point and nutty flavour.
  • Samosa — Deep-fried savoury pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas or meat.
  • Naan — Soft, leavened flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor (clay oven).
  • Biryani — Fragrant layered rice dish with meat or vegetables, slow-cooked with whole spices.
  • Chai — Indian tea, usually brewed strong with milk, sugar and spices.
  • Lassi — Punjabi yoghurt drink, blended sweet or salted and chilled.

Related crosswords

Puzzles with a theme close to Paneer.

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