Paneer Tikka Masala

December 30, 2020

Cooked this dish because I have extra paneer from making saag paneer and that I like chicken tikka masala. It seems that paneer tikka masala is a vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka masala. The onions, tomatoes and bell peppers used in here did make me feel like eating healthy, not taking paneer into account 😉

QUICK TAKEAWAYS

very important to stir fry onions till golden and crispy, so the sweetness and fragrance can fully integrate into foods
careful not to splash hot gravy into blender and from blender on skin or clothes
garam masala could be stomach-burning, do not add too much if you cannot handle spicy well
serve tandoori chicken together and recipe attached below

RECIPE

4 servings

Tikka

250g paneer cubes
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/4 – 1/2 tsp red chili powder/paprika
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/8 turmeric (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 chopped bell pepper
1/2 chopped onion

Masala Gravy

1-2 chopped onion
3 chopped tomatoes
1 + 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2 cup cashew nuts/almonds
1 tsp red chili powder/paprika
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp kasuri methi (optional)
3 tbsp cream
2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Procedure

Step 1: mix 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4-1/2 tsp red chili powder/paprika, 1 tsp ginger garlic past, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/8 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 chopped onions and 1/2 chopped bell pepper; taste and add more salt if needed.

Step 2: add 250g paneer cubes in the mix, coat all sides and marinate

Step 3: stir fry 1-2 chopped onions on oil over high-mid oil till golden and transparent.

Step 4: + 3 chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cashews, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt. Stir and cook till tomatoes are soft and mushy.

Step 5: + 1 tsp red chili powder/paprika, 1 tsp garam masala; cook till fragrance comes out

Step 6: cool down and transfer to blender carefully, do not burn yourself. + 1/2 cup – 3/4 cup water to blend puree smoothly.

Step 7: cook 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste over oil till fragrance comes out, do not burn garlic.

Step 8: turn down heat to low and pour back onion tomato puree from blender; taste and see if more paprika, salt are needed; add water if needed to achieve consistency.

Step 9: cover with lid and cook till gravy turns think and there are traces of oil on top

Step 10: sprinkle crushed kasuri methi; remove from heat

Step 11: cook paneer tikka:

pan: cook paneer pieces on high heat till each side turns golden; fry onions, peppers over oil till marinade dries up
oven: grill everything over 430F/220C for 8-10mins till all sides are golden and crisp
air-fryer: air fry everything at 390F/200C for 5mins; brush with marinade and air fry for another 2mins.

Step 12: transfer cooked golden paneer cubes, bell peppers and chopped onions back to pan; pour over 3 tbsp cream, chopped cilantro, stir and serve