Turkneer – A Meatless Turkey Made of Roasted Paneer
Turkneer is a Thanksgiving “Turkey” made of roasted paneer. It is my husband’s creation. It was a hit, and he requested that I write a formal recipe. This will be our new Thanksgiving tradition.
As RK does not eat any meat, every Thanksgiving, we had to look for a no-meat version of turkey. It is for its symbolic festive meaning that brought the family together and celebrate another year we are thankful for.
We tried the Wholefoods Tofurky. It wasn’t bad. Just that all three boys were not crazy about the taste. They did enjoy the stuffing on the side and cranberry sauce. And Dad complained about having to fight for the last Tofurky on a Thanksgiving day. He is not going to keep doing that every year.
But everyone loves Paneer, the Indian cream cheese. And boys love stuffing on the side. So Dad got to be very creative this time. Turned out that the first ever Turkneer was a hit. Boys approved it and picked the name.
Roasted Turkneer
Roasted Paneer with Turkey Stuffing, a Meatless Thanksgiving Dish
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 200kcal
Cost: $5
Ingredients
- 1 block Paneer 2 lbs
- 1 box Trader Joe's cornbread stuffing with sauce packet
Instructions
Carving the "bird"
- Cut paneer lengthwise into 2 halves
- Carve both halves by taking small pieces out and leaving 0.5 inch cheese on all sides
- The finished paneer looks like a jewelry box. Save the small pieces for another dish
Stuffing
- Add water into the stuffing sauce mix and microwave following box instructions
- Add sauce to the cornbread stuffing, mix well using a fork
- Stuff the paneer box and place it in a baking pan
- Put the rest of stuffing around the stuffed paneer
Bake for 1 hour at 350F or until the top turns golden
Notes
About the Author Isabel Wang, MD/PhD
I received my MD from PUMC in Beijing China and my Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University on Long Island. Over the years, I have worked in the fields of genetic research and clinical medicine in different parts of the US, including PA, MO, CT, FL, NY and MI. My research has been published in multiple scientific journals. Currently I live in Ann Arbor, MI with my husband and our children and Mango the orange tabby. I love hiking, running, baking, cooking and biking.
