Introduction
If there is one dish that can wake up the taste buds of both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, it is the beloved paneer tikka! This classic Indian appetizer offers tons of flavor from the combination of succulent paneer (Indian cheese) with aromatic spices and charred goodies. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this paneer tikka recipe is easy to follow and will surely impress your family and friends.
Component:
For Marinade:
400 grams paneer, cut into small cubes
1 cup thick curd
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder (adjust as per your spice preference)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp kasoori methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp vegetable oil
salt to taste
For Tikka:
1 large onion, roughly diced
1 large bell pepper (capsicum), roughly diced
skewer (wooden or metal)
For garnish:
fresh coriander (dhania) leaves
lemon wedges
Instruction:
Marinade preparation:
Mix thick curd, ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, kasoori methi, lemon juice, vegetable oil and salt in a large bowl.
Mix the marinade ingredients well until you get a smooth and well blended mixture.
Marinating Paneer and Vegetables:
Put the paneer pieces in the marinade and gently coat with the spices. Do not let the paneer pieces break.
Next, add chopped onion and capsicum to the same bowl and mix them with paneer and marinade. Make sure paneer and vegetables are evenly coated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (marinating overnight works even better).
Grilling the Paneer Tikka:
Preheat your grill or barbecue over medium-high heat. If you don’t have a grill, you can also use an oven.
Place the marinated paneer, onion and capsicum alternately on the skewers. This will give a colorful and appetizing look to your tikka.
If you’re using a grill, lightly grease it with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they have a lovely char and smoky flavour.
To cook in the oven, preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F) and place the skewers on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning them occasionally, till the tikkas are nicely browned.
Serve Paneer Tikka:
Once the paneer tikka is fully cooked, remove the skewers from the grill or oven and place them on a serving plate.
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve garnished with lemon slices for extra flavor.
Enjoy your hot and delicious Paneer Tikka as an appetizer, side dish or even as a main course with naan, roti or rice.
conclusion:
