For the Tikka marination:
- 200 grams paneer, cubed or cut into squares
- 1 medium green/red/yellow bell pepper, cut into 1" dices
- 1 onion, cut into 1" dices
- ½ cup thick yogurt
- ½ to ¾ tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- A pinch of garam masala or chat masala
- 2 tbsp besan or gram flour
- a few tsps of oil for brushing
- salt as required
For the Gravy:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes - you can use 1 cup tomato puree instead
- ¼ to ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp of ginger-garlic paste
- ½ tsp kasuri methi or dry fenugreek leaves
- 1 tsp jeera/ cumin seeds
- 2 to 3 tbsp cream
- 1 cup water
- 2 to 3 tbsp oil or 2 tbsp butter
- coriander leaves for garnishing
- salt as required
Method:
Making the paneer tikka:
- Whisk the yogurt till smooth with all the spices, gram flour, lemon juice, salt mentioned above. Mix well.
- Add the paneer cubes, bell pepper, onion and mix again so that the marination coats the paneer and vegetables evenly.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for 30-60 mins.
- Arrange the paneer cubes on a bamboo or metal skewers and place them on a pan with some oil. You can also directly shallow fry the paneer mixture.
- Wait until the edges get browned. The paneer tikka is ready.
Making the tikka masala gravy:
- Heat oil in a pan. Add some jeera. Add the chopped onions and saute well.
- Now add the ginger-garlic paste.
- Then add the tomato puree/cut tomatoes and continue to saute for 3-4 mins.
- Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and garam masala powder. stir well.
- Add water and salt. Stir well and simmer for 8-9 minutes on a low flame till the curry thickens a bit and you see fat or oil on the top.
- Add the grilled paneer tikka cubes & veggies to the gravy and simmer for a minute or two on low flame.
- Then add some crushed kasuri methi and cream. Stir in well.
- The paneer tikka masala is ready to be served. Serve paneer tikka masala garnished with some coriander leaves & and some cream accompanied with some naan, rotis or rice.
Hopw you like this recipe.
Happy Cooking!!