Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka is a ‘must-have’ Indian recipe that is popular amongst all people around the world. This mouthwatering recipe is made out of soft paneer chunks marinated with tandoori masala and grilled with capsicum, onion and tomatoes.

Ingredients:
250gms paneer (cottage cheese); cut into 1 1/2″ cubes,
2 small capsicums; cut into 1 1/2″ cubes,
2 small onions; cut into similar size cubes,
1 tomato; cut into similar size cubes,
100gms yogurt; beaten,
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste,
1 tbsp tandoori masala,
1/2 tsp chaat masala,
1/2 tsp red chilli powder,
1/2 tsp roasted jeera (cumin) powder,
Salt to taste,
Few drop of red food color,
Oil for basting,
Skewers and grill or oven,
Some sliced onion and lemon wedges to garnish.

Method:
Combine all the ingredients and let the paneer and vegetables marinate well for at least 30 minutes (the more the better) in the refrigerator.
When ready to prepare, Preheat the oven to 175 degree C / 350 degree F for 10 minutes. Arrange the paneer, capsicum, onion and tomatoes alternately on the skewers. Brush remaining marinade over it, baste with oil and place into the grill or oven and grill from all the sides till paneer is golden-brown. Do not overcook else paneer will lose its softness and become like a rubber.

Always serve hot. While serving sprinkle some chaat masala, lemon juice and garnish with sliced onion and lemon wedges.

TIP:
If you donot have a grill/tandoor/oven, you can prepare this recipe in a pan. Either arrange the skewers in a pan and roast with little oil. Roast till paneer and vegetables become golden-brown from all sides. Then hold the skwers over the stove (direct heat) on low flame and turning around occasionally give them a tandoor effect. If skewers are not available then roast all the veggies in the pan and prick the paneer and vegetables to a fork and give the tandoor effect. This method is time consuming but it tastes quite similar to the grilled paneer tikka.