Paneer tikka masala

 love paneer. I mean I really really love it in all the different ways it can be made. So does hubby and my little princess. I can have it every single day and for every single meal. Infact, I am yet to come across someone who hates paneer. I love eating it as well as making different and new recipes using it. Any restaurant visit is just incomplete for me without having atleast one paneer dish :) A great substitute for vegetarian protein and a very versatile ingredient, can be used in different preparations like rice, bread, curries, desserts etc. It is regular in our house, very easy to make and always tastes good. I just can't write enough about my love for paneer.

The world famous "Paneer tikka masala " is something I absolutely love among all the recipes of paneer. The rich and creamy sauce, subtle tandoori flavors and spicy roasted paneer is something absolutely scrumptious and can have you drooling just by thinking about it. You just can not go wrong with this. Try this delectable and flavorful paneer dish and you will know what I am talking about!

Ingredients: Serves 4-6

For the Paneer tikka -

Paneer .............................. homemade or store bought 14 oz or 2 cups cut into 11/2 inches cubes

Marinade:

Yogurt .............................. 1/2 cup well beaten

Lemon juice ....................... 1 tbsp

Red chilli powder ................. 1 tsp or to taste

Ginger garlic paste ................ 2 tsp

Salt .................................. to taste

Tandoori masala ................... 2 tsp

Coriander powder ................. 1 tsp

Kasoori methi ...................... 1 tsp crushed

Ghee or oil .......................... 1 1/2 tbsp + more for brushing

For the Gravy -

Oil ...................................... 2 tsp

Asafoetida ............................ a pinch

Onion .................................. 1 small minced

Garlic Ginger Paste .................. 1 1/2 tsp

Tomato puree ......................... 1 cup

Paprika or Kashmiri Mirch ........... 1 tsp
Tandoori masala ...................... 1 tsp

Coriander Powder .................... 1 tsp

Garam Masala .......................... 1 tsp
Turmeric ................................ 1/2 tsp

Salt ...................................... to taste

Evaporated milk/milk ...................... 1 5 oz can

Sugar ................................... 1/4 tsp or to taste

Cilantro to garnish

Method:

For tikka

1. Take a medium size bowl and combine all the ingredients for the marinade. Add paneer. Gently and evenly coat the paneer with the marinade. Cover it with a plate or plastic wrap and marinate for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.

2. Thread the paneer on pre soaked bamboo skewers and arrange in a baking tray lined with aluminum foil. Brush some oil on top.

3. Place it near the top rack in the oven and broil on high for 10 minutes on one side. Take it out, flip and again brush with some oil. Broil again for 10 minutes on the other side or till they get a nice light brown color. Keep an eye as every oven is different. Once done, remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, take it out from the skewers and place it on a plate.

For gravy:

1. Heat a pan on medium heat and add oil.

2. Add  asafoetida and onions and saute till transparent, add ginger garlic paste, salt and turmeric, saute for 2 min.

3. Add in the tomato puree, cook for 2-3 min.

4. Add coriander powder,tandoori masala and paprika.

5. Mix and cook till oil separates.

6. Add paneer tikka and garam masala and mix gently.

7. Add 1/4 cup water and simmer for 2-3 mins.

8. Lower heat and add evaporated milk.

9. Allow it to come to another boil.

10. Add Sugar and mix well. Add more water if desired.

11. Garnish with Cilantro and serve hot.

Notes:

1. If you don't have oven at home, no problem, after marinating the paneer just heat 1 tblsp of oil in a wide non stick pan and shallow fry the paneer pieces till light golden brown and use in the gravy.

2. Paneer tikka without the gravy makes a wonderful appetizer. Just sprinkle it with some lemon juice and chaat masala and serve alongside some onion and lemon wedges.

4. Chicken can be used in place of paneer following the same recipe.

---

Pin It