In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make fresh cheese at home with just a few simple steps. In Afghanistan, this type of cheese is often enjoyed with raisins and is known as Kishmish Paneer. The word kishmish means raisins, and paneer means cheese.
What makes this recipe especially tasty is the addition of raisins. If you’ve never tried cheese with raisins before, it is a must. The combination, known as Kishmish Paneer, is unbelievably delicious.

This dish is traditionally served with hot cardamom tea, which is a big part of Afghan hospitality. Guests are always offered tea as a welcoming gesture. Cardamom also has many health benefits, including antibacterial and therapeutic effects. To add it to your tea, scoop out the seeds from the pods and gently crush them, or grind the seeds using a spice or coffee grinder.
Click here to make some hot cardamom tea with milk (Sheer Chai Afghan) to enjoy with this delicious recipe.
What you need to make kishmish paneer (homemade cheese served with raisins )
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How you make kishmish paneer (homemade cheese served with raisins)
Directions
- Pour the milk into a pan. (Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for best results.)
- Pour in the table cream and stir continuously until the mixture reaches just below boiling. You will notice small bubbles forming along the sides of the pan.
- Add vinegar or lemon juice and stir gently to combine.
- As soon as you add the vinegar, the milk will begin to curdle.
If it does not start curdling right away, add another teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice. - Keep stirring until the mixture separates into two layers: curds and a clear, watery liquid.
- Set it aside for a few minutes before draining to allow the curds to fully form.
- Place a cheesecloth over a colander to drain the liquid. You can start with a regular cloth as the first layer to make washing easier, then add four layers of cheesecloth on top for better straining.
- Drain all the liquid and keep the curds in the cheesecloth. Wrap the curds gently in the cloth to hold their shape.
- Rinse the wrapped curds under cold running water to remove any remaining vinegar or lemon taste.
Place the wrapped cheese on a plate and let it sit for a few hours to set and firm up.- Unwrap the cheese, slice it, and serve it with raisins.
Enjoyed making this recipe? Leave a comment below if you have any questions or feedback. We’d love to hear from you!