Paneer or cottage cheese is the best by-product of milk. The attractive white color, nice flavor, easily cooked, delectable, great to eat, and widely popular in India, paneer can be prepared in a hundred different ways. And if you have a baby who is to begin solids, paneer can be one superfood that must be included in your baby’s diet. Find out 8 must-try easy to make paneer recipes for babies.
The taste and health benefits of paneer are unquestionable. Having said that, you need to know when you should incorporate it into your baby’s diet. This is because paneer is a dairy product and as your baby is still young, you cannot be sure how his digestive system will react to this. Paneer is high in protein too, which may make it difficult for your little one to digest. Let’s see when and how you can introduce paneer to your little one and the various benefits this milk product offers.
In This Article
- Benefits of Eating Paneer For Babies
- When Can I Introduce Cottage Cheese to My Baby?
- 8 Must-Try Easy to Make Paneer Recipes For Babies
- How to Make Paneer at Home?
Benefits of Eating Paneer For Babies
Paneer is highly nutritious. Following are some top benefits of eating paneer for babies:
1. Better Nourishment
Loaded with proteins and healthy fats, paneer and cheese provide nourishment for your growing child and meet their nutritional needs.
2. Stronger Teeth and Bones
Being a byproduct of milk, paneer is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus, that aid in making your baby’s bones and teeth stronger and healthier.
3. Better Growth
Paneer is full of essential vitamins, minerals, calcium and phosphorus, and helps provide nutrition for the proper growth and development of your child’s body and brain.
4. Immunity Booster
Regular servings of paneer in your child’s diet can help them stay away from common infections like cough, cold, and bronchial asthma as paneer is known to boost the hemoglobin count.
5. Weight Gain
Your baby’s muscles require proteins to form and grow, and paneer is full of proteins and calcium, along with fats and other vitamins and minerals. Some paneer in your baby’s diet would definitely help your little one gain weight
When Can I Introduce Cottage Cheese to My Baby?
Cottage cheese or paneer can be safely introduced to your baby by the time they are 6 months old, although it is advised to check with the pediatrician first, especially if your family has a history of allergies. To avoid the risk of feeding your baby contaminated paneer, you can always make it at home with pasteurized milk. If you buy packaged paneer, make sure you check that it is made from pasteurized milk, carries a low amount of sodium, and has not crossed the expiry date. Branded paneer from known dairy brands and companies are a good choice when buying paneer for your little one.
Keeping in view the immense benefit paneer can give your child, here are 8 tasty, easy-to-prepare paneer or cottage cheese recipes that will be a hit with the fussiest of eaters. Plus, they do not take a lot to get ready, too!
[Read: 10 Simple And Interesting Egg Recipes For Babies]
8 Must-Try Easy to Make Paneer Recipes For Babies
You can offer your baby a host of health benefits by including healthy, tasty paneer in their diet. Find out 8 must-try easy-to-make paneer recipes for babies.
1. Shredded Cottage Cheese
You can simply shred a small block of cottage cheese and serve it to your baby in a clean and sterilized bowl as finger food. Let your little munchkin enjoy the taste of paneer as it is without adding salt or sugar. Remember, salt should not be given to babies under one year of age, but you could sprinkle a dash of pepper.
2. Mashed Cauliflower and Paneer
Cut a few florets of cauliflower, wash, and steam it in a pressure cooker for about 15 minutes, and allow cooling down for about 5 more minutes. You can mash the cauliflower with a fork or using a blender and add mashed paneer to up the taste quotient. The ratio of cauliflower should be 2 and a half times more than that of paneer.
3. Vegetable and Paneer Puree
If you have introduced vegetable purées to your child, you can add a little twist by adding some paneer to the purées. You can use peas, potatoes, carrots, and asparagus spears and steam them for about 15 minutes. Mash the veggies using a fork or a blender to a fine consistency, by adding some breast milk or water. Add mashed paneer and a dash of pepper, and enjoy seeing your baby finish this healthy dish in minutes!
4. Paneer Rice
Boil half a cup of rice and blend the same to get a purée like consistency – adding breast milk or water if necessary. Add an equal quantity of mashed paneer and mix it finely using a fork. Serve the baby at room temperature. You can add puréed peas or potatoes to the dish for added flavor and nutrition.
[Read: 5 Healthy Green Peas Recipes For Your Babies]
5. Fruity Paneer
Apple puree, banana puree, or peach puree can be made healthier if you also add some mashed paneer. The dish will be nutrient-dense and for added taste, a pinch of cinnamon should be fine. This is one of the best paneer recipes for babies.
6. Egg and Cheese Salad
If you have introduced eggs to your baby, this recipe will be greatly enjoyed by your little munchkin. Chop one hard-boiled egg and add some chopped paneer. Whisk both together with a spoon, and a nutritious salad is ready for your little one. For babies above the age of 1 year, you can add a pinch of salt and pepper for that extra zing. You can also add a tablespoon of cottage cheese to scrambled eggs for a creamy, rich delight.
7. Strawberry, Peach, and Cottage Cheese Wonder
If your baby has started off with finger foods and has most of their teeth, you can try feeding them this simple recipe that has oodles of colors and flavors. Place deseeded and chopped peaches and de-stemmed strawberries in a microwave for about 2-4 minutes until the fruits are soft. Place chunks of paneer in a deep dish bowl and pour the softened fruits over the tops. This flavorsome dish is sure to make your baby smile from ear to ear.
8. Mashed Avocado and Cottage Cheese
A healthy dip or a snack, a mashed, ripe avocado served with mashed paneer is a nutritional powerhouse and can be had as it is. It tastes yummy!
[Read: Tasty Quinoa Recipes For Babies And Its Health Benefits]
How to Make Paneer at Home?
We understand your baby is precious, and if you are one of those mothers who love to ensure that all that your baby eats is homemade, then buying packaged paneer may be a deal to you. Here is how you can easily prepare paneer at home.
Ingredients
- A liter and a half of full-fat milk – for the softest paneer. You can use slim milk as well, but what is paneer that is not soft?
- 1/4 cup of curd or 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
- A vessel to boil the milk
- Muslin cloth
Directions to Make Paneer at Home
- Bring milk to a boil and let it boil for a minute or so.
- Add curd/lemon juice/vinegar and gently stir the milk. Curd yields the softest paneer, while lemon could lend some of its smell to the paneer.
- Once you see that the milk begins to curdle, switch off the flame and let it rest for a minute.
- Pour the curdled milk in a muslin cloth and squeeze excess water from. Make a knot at the top of the cloth and hand it so that the liquid will drain.
- Once the excess whey is drained, place the paneer with the cloth on a flat surface and place a heavy pan on it. This will render it a leveled thickness and shape.
- Once cooled, cut into cubes and use it or refrigerate it in a bowl containing water to retain its softness and freshness.
Your homemade paneer is ready to be used!
Paneer is excellent solid food for your little one, who needs healthy protein for proper growth and development. The high nutrition and versatility of protein make it a must-add for your baby. Remember to watch out for allergies and avoid this milk product if your baby is allergic to milk. When in doubt, you can always consult your pediatrician before introducing paneer to your baby.
Read Also: Vegetable Soup for Babies – Benefits & Recipes
