Paneer is beloved by Indian vegetarians. Outside of dals and various lentils, it is the sole protein source native to our cuisine. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it marries beautifully with a variety of gravies. As a South Indian, when I was growing up it was rare to find paneer in our household (it’s a staple ingredient of Punjabi and North Indian food in general). Instead it was reserved for special occasions — birthdays, festivals, and perhaps an exceptional day.
Before my mother started making paneer from scratch (a newfound hobby of hers, thanks to the Instant Pot), we would buy paneer from the Indian store — sometimes traveling a few hours to the nearest Patel Brothers to stock up on our precious staples that would sustain us for at least a month, or more. Of course, we had our pick of the litter as far as paneer is concerned.
We found some gems there, but they came with a higher price tag — like Sach Paneer, a Silicon Valley-based brand that is tasty but expensive. So when we visited my cousins in Chicago recently and tasted a quality paneer sold in massive quantities and at a reasonable price, we had to know where they got it. And that was our introduction to one of my favorite Costco Indian grocery finds: Gopi paneer.
What’s So Great About Gopi Paneer?
Gopi is known for producing high-quality dairy products — including the creamiest of yogurts, and soft, succulent paneer. Made from whole milk, it’s no surprise just how creamy the paneer tastes; it’s as delicious on its own as it is in a host of other dishes (more on that below).
While the grocery store nearby sells a 14-ounce block for $8.99, Costco, of course, has the deal you can’t beat. The bulk warehouse’s large 2.5-pound bricks are only slightly more at $10.49. That’s nearly triple the amount of paneer for just $1.50 more. And if you don’t use it all at once, it freezes great too.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Gopi Paneer?
This is the type of paneer you use to make paneer tikka, a type of paneer kebab made traditionally in the tandoor oven (it requires using the softest paneer for a dish so luscious and truly melt-in-your-mouth delicious).
While paneer (and especially fresh paneer) can be eaten raw, I recommend soaking the cubes in warm water before cooking with them — especially if they’re going into a curry or gravy of any sort. The soft, spongy paneer will absorb the flavors of the gravy much better after a little soak.
You can also freeze it in slabs or, for easier use, cube it upon purchasing and store in either an ice cube tray or a gallon-sized plastic bag like my cousin does. It’ll come in handy far more often than you think — whether you’re using it in a feast for Eid-al-Fitr this month, crumbling it into a bhurji, or frying cubes of it for your next creamy gravy to pair with some soft naan (like the garlic ones at Trader Joe’s).
And for a snack, here’s a Narayanan family tip: Pan-fry the cubes in a bit of desi ghee. It’ll never steer you astray.
Find it in stores: Gopi Paneer, $10.49 for 2.5 pounds at Costco
What Costco staples are you stocking up on for spring? Tell us in the comments.
