Paneer Tikka Masala - Minion Special Recipe

Did I remind you the minions saying "Paneer Butter Masala" as a password to open a door in Despicable Me 2?  Ha ha :D If no, you must see this video!! ROFL!!

Minion Panner Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka are usually made in Tandoor Oven or Grilled, after being marinated in a spice mixture. They are arranged on skewers to be cooked and served as an appetizer with some mint chutney. But this is a gravy made with the paneer tikka and its really yummy with some roti or chapattis!! You can add the vegetables when you make the tikka, so the gravy is crunchy. Now lets move on to the details of the recipe...

Ingredients:
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:

1. Whisk the yogurt till smooth with all the spices, gram flour, lemon juice, salt mentioned above. Mix well.
2. Add the paneer cubes, bell pepper, onion and mix again so that the marination coats the paneer and vegetables evenly.
3. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30-60 mins.
4. 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.
5. Wait until the edges get browned. The paneer tikka is ready.

Making the tikka masala gravy:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add some jeera. Add the chopped onions and saute well.
   
2. Now add the ginger-garlic paste.
3. Then add the tomato puree/cut tomatoes and continue to saute for 3-4 mins.
4. Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and garam masala powder. stir well.
5. 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.
   
6. Add the grilled paneer tikka cubes & veggies to the gravy and simmer for a minute or two on low flame.
7. Then add some crushed kasuri methi and cream. Stir in well.
8. 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!!