Dry Paneer Kalio: Cottage Cheese in Thick Indonesian Coconut Curry (Vegetarian)
Paneer kalio is an experimental fusion dish, combining Indonesian and Indian cuisines. Here, cottage cheese is cooked in a coconut milk curry that’s similar to rendang.

- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 40 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 200g frozen paneer cubes
- 120 ml coconut cream
- 3 big red chillies, chopped
- 5 shallots, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 2 cm ginger, peeled and chopped
- 2 cm galangal, peeled and chopped
- 1 lemongrass, bruised and sliced
- 3 kaffir lime leaves
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- 1
Defrost the paneer and soak in hot water for 10-15 minutes to soften. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Blend into a fine paste: big red chillies, shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal.
- 3
Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat. Sauté the blended paste until fragrant, about 3 min.
- 4
Add the coriander powder, turmeric powder, lemongrass and lime leaves. Sauté for 1 min.
- 5
Add the coconut cream. Bring to a boil.
- 6
Lower the heat and add the paneer. Let it simmer and stir at regular intervals to prevent the coconut milk from separating.
- 7
When the coconut milk starts to thicken into a curry, about 30 min, turn off the flame and serve.