Watermelon seed ricotta and vegan paneer give you two ways to turn soaked watermelon seeds into dairy-free cheese.
The recipe starts with 1 cup of hulled and soaked watermelon seeds. Blend the seeds with 3 cups of fresh water, then strain the mixture.
The strained watermelon seed pulp becomes a creamy ricotta-style cheese. Meanwhile, the watermelon seed milk cooks on the stove and turns into a firm paneer-style cheese.
This simple recipe gives you two plant-based cheese alternatives from the same batch of watermelon seeds.
Ingredients
- 1 cup hulled and soaked watermelon seeds
- 3 cups fresh water
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- A tiny squeeze of lemon juice, optional
Prepare the Watermelon Seeds
Start with 1 cup of hulled and soaked watermelon seeds.
Add the soaked seeds to a blender. Then pour in 3 cups of fresh water.
Blend the seeds and water thoroughly until you have a smooth watermelon seed milk.
This milk will become the base for the vegan paneer.
Strain the Watermelon Seed Milk
Next, strain the blended watermelon seed mixture completely.
You can use a pour-over coffee strainer for this step. Place the strainer over a pot and pour in the blended mixture.
Use a spoon to help the liquid pass through.
Take your time and let as much liquid as possible drain into the pot.
You now have two useful parts. The thicker pulp stays in the strainer, while the liquid collects in the pot.
Use the pulp to make the ricotta. Later, cook the liquid to make the paneer.
Make the Watermelon Seed Ricotta
Transfer the strained watermelon seed pulp to a bowl.
Add salt and black pepper to taste.
For a little extra brightness, add a tiny squeeze of lemon juice.
Mix everything together until the seasoning spreads evenly through the pulp.
The result is a soft and creamy watermelon seed ricotta.
You can adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. Keep the lemon juice optional and use only a small amount.
Cook the Watermelon Seed Milk
Now turn your attention to the watermelon seed milk.
Place the pot over low heat and let the milk simmer gently.
As the milk heats, it will naturally begin to separate.
You do not need to add another ingredient to make this happen. The heat causes the watermelon seed milk to separate on its own.
This separation gives you the curds needed to make the vegan paneer.
Strain the Paneer
Once the watermelon seed milk has separated, prepare a piece of cheesecloth over a suitable container.
Carefully pour the mixture through the cheesecloth.
The liquid will drain through while the thicker curds remain in the cloth.
Next, gather the cheesecloth around the curds.
Squeeze and press the cloth to remove some of the remaining liquid.
Press the Vegan Paneer
After straining the curds, keep them wrapped inside the cheesecloth.
Place a heavy object on top of the wrapped curds.
The weight presses out more liquid and helps the curds come together into a firm block.
Leave the paneer under the weight until it becomes firm enough to hold its shape.
Then carefully open the cheesecloth.
You should now have a firm block of watermelon seed paneer.
Cut the paneer into pieces and use it in your favorite dishes.
Watermelon Seed Ricotta & Vegan Paneer
This recipe gives you both a soft ricotta-style cheese and a firm paneer-style cheese from the same watermelon seeds.
First, blend 1 cup of hulled and soaked watermelon seeds with 3 cups of fresh water. Then strain the mixture.
Use the strained pulp to make the ricotta. Season it with salt and black pepper, and add a tiny squeeze of lemon juice if you like.
Next, simmer the watermelon seed milk over low heat. As it cooks, the milk naturally separates.
Strain the curds through cheesecloth and press them with a heavy object. This creates the firm paneer.
As a result, one simple watermelon seed mixture gives you two different dairy-free cheese alternatives.
Watch the Full Recipe Video
Want to see every step of this recipe in action? Watch the complete video tutorial on our YouTube channel, where you’ll see how to prepare the watermelon seeds, blend them with fresh water, strain the mixture, make the ricotta, cook the watermelon seed milk, and press the paneer.
📺 The full step-by-step video is available below. Simply press play and cook along with us!
👇 Watch the complete recipe here:
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