Tandoori Paneer Tikka with Tandoori Masala

Originally prepared in traditional Tandoor, Paneer tikka is a famous starter or appetizer from the states of Punjab . Paneer tikka is an Indian dish made from chunks of paneer marinated in spices and grilled in a tandoor. It is a vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka and other meat dishes.It is a popular dish that is widely available in India and other countries . Now a days it’s often seen in the menu card of Dominos , McDonald and Subway as Paneer Tikka Pizza , Paneer tikka wrap and Paneer tikka sandwich. Tikka dishes traditionally go well with mint chutney.The paneer, though tender, has a crisp singe on the surface. So let’s start the recipe . Yum

Ingredients for Tandoori Masala

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 tablespoon cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

1 star anise

2 tablespoon red chilli powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

2 teaspoon salt

1 pinch red food coloring (optional )

Method:

Heat a pan and dry roast the first five ingredients. Cool and mix with rest of spices and grind together to make a powder. Keep in air tight container.

Tandoori masala

Ingredients for Paneer Tikka

250 gm Cottage cheese /Paneer , cut in cubes

1 Capsicum , cut in strips or cubes

1 Big Onion , cut in big chunks

1 cup Yoghurt/Curd , beaten

1 tablespoon Tandoori masala powder

Spices

1 teaspoon Garam masala

1 teaspoon red chilly powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon coriander powder

2 teaspoon chaat masala

Salt o taste

To be ground

4 garlic cloves

2 ” ginger piece

4 green chillies

5-6 sprigs Coriander leaves

Water-1/4 cup

Method:

Make a paste of the ingredients under “to be ground”.

Take a bowl and add Tandoori Masala , ground paste , other spices and salt , and beaten yoghurt in it.

Paneer tikka

Mix it thoroughly with spoon .

Paneer tikka

Add paneer cubes , capsicum and onion pieces in it. Mix it gently with spatula taking care that paneer cubes won’t break and all veggies get coated with the masala.

Paneer tikka

Cover it and keep in refrigerator for 2-3 hours for marination.

Paneer tikka

Once marinated arrange them in skewer and place in Tandoor or in a baking tray and bake at 12 degree for 15 minutes. You may grill them in microwave for 20 minutes. Also you can roast them on non stick pan over medium heat in stove ill golden from both sides.

Paneer tikka