Rainy Lanes Dairy Foods

fresh & cultured dairy products supplier
to the foodservice & food manufacturing sectors

Asian Weddings

Alternatives to Paneer or Channa for making sweetmeats

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Many Asian families have been contacting us to provide them with an alternative to Paneer or Channa, to use in the home preparation of sweetmeats in advance of Asian wedding. We can now provide a direct supply though our distributors, to many parts of England.

Background

Paneer, literally translated from Hindi, means 'cheese' and is sometimes known as Indian Cottage Cheese, which is very popular in India . It is a soft cheese and is not cultured or set with rennet, but by using citric acid making it suitable for vegetarians. Paneer does not melt while cooking and is widely used in Indian cuisine and even some Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisine.

Paneer is sometimes known as Paner, Panir, Chhena or Channa (not to be confused with Chana, the Indian name for the chick pea). Some varieties crumble easily, others are more akin to UK produced soft cheeses.

Sweetmeats in India

The sweetmeat industry in India is famous throughout the world for its wide range of products like ‘Rasogolla’ and ‘Sandesh’. Indian sweets consist of milk, sugar and flour based confectioneries originating from the Indian sub-continent. Every Indian sweet has a particular taste and takes a long time to prepare.

They come in various shapes, colours and sizes and are significant in Indian culture. They are presented during festive occasions and ceremonies and signify good omen, happiness and prosperity. In India every happy occasion is marked with the distribution of sweets. They improve and strengthen the bond between two hearts with their mouth-watering tastes.

Indian recipes rely on nutmeats, fruits, vegetables like carrots, essences of flowers, grasses, herbs and nuts and a myriad of exotic spices. Honey is often used to sweeten, instead of sugar, but most often you will see boiled cooked down, curdled or long baked milk solids form the base for many Indian sweetmeats.

Payasam (or Kheer) is a dessert which has been an essential dish throughout the history of India , often served at ceremonies, feasts and celebrations. In Southern India, it is believed that a wedding is not fully blessed if Payasam is not served at the wedding feast.

Sweetmeats in the UK

Paneer is not widely available in the UK but Rainy Lanes has for many years, been supplying a soft cheese to families making their own sweetmeats in advance of weddings. The product most widely used in homes for making or topping sweetmeats, is our Medium Fat Soft Cheese which does not contain animal rennet, so is also suitable for vegetarians.

Ordering

Rainy Lanes does not supply the public direct, but through our distributors. Please complete the following enquirey form, giving at least two weeks notice and we will reply within 24 hours to confirm if you area is covered;