Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Masala is classic accompaniment for roti. phulka, naan etc., from the Indian cuisine. Marinated paneer, bell peppers and onions are grilled and then cooked in a rich & creamy gravy.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

For Spice Mix: (makes more than required for this recipe, store for use in other recipes)

Cinnamon – 2″ stick
Cardamom seeds – 1 1/2 teaspoons
Clove – 20
Star Anise -1
Peppercorns – 2 teaspoons
Cumin – 1 teaspoon

For Marinade:

Paneer, cubed – 600 grams
Curd/Yogurt – 1/4 cup
Cumin Powder  – 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander Powder – 1 1/2 teaspoons
Red Chili Powder – 1 tablespoon
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Nutmeg Powder – 1/8 teaspoon
Cinnamon Powder – 1/8 teaspoon
Cardamom Powder – 1/4 teaspoon
Lemon Juice – 1 teaspoon
Oil – 1 tablespoon

For Gravy:

Oil – 2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon
Onions – 2
Tomatoes – 2
Red Bell pepper – 1 small
Ginger – 1″ long piece
Garlic Cloves – 5
Cashew Nuts – 8
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 teaspoon
Butter – 2 tablespoons
Green Chili – 2
Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 1/2 teaspoons
Nut meg Powder – 1/8 teaspoon
Paprika Powder  – 2 teaspoons (optional – for bright red color, this does not add much hotness)
Red Chili Powder  – 2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Sugar – 2 teaspoons
Spice Mix – 1 1/2 tablespoons
Kasuri Methi – 3 tablespoon

Other:

Onion – 1
Green Bell Pepper – 1 small
Red Bell Pepper – 1 small

For Garnishing:

Coriander Leaves, chopped

For Aids:

Skewers – 8

Method:

1. Dry roast all the ingredients for spice mix until a nice aroma comes out. Take care not to burn them. Set aside to cool down to room temperature.
2. Once cooled, blend them into fine powder.
3. Slice 2 onions, garlic cloves and ginger.
4. Chop 2 tomatoes and 1 red bell pepper.
5. Except paneer cubes, whisk together all the ingredients thoroughly to prepare the marinade.
6. Add paneer cubes and set it aside, covered for 30 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan.
8. Add onion slices and saute for a minute.
9. Add garlic and ginger slices. Saute until onion turns translucent in color.
10. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder and cashew nuts. Saute until tomatoes turn soft and mushy. Turn off the flame and let it cool down.
11. Arrange all the marinated paneer cubes in the skewers, leaving half a centimeter gap between each cube.
12. Place the skewers on a grill or a heated griddle and roast them slightly on all the sides by turning the skewer.
13. Meanwhile, cut 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper and onion into 1″ squares. Toss them into the remaining marinade mix. Mix well.
14. Mince green chilies, set aside
15. When the paneer cubes are roasted on all sides, pick the onion, red and green bell pepper squares and roast them on both sides on the same grill or griddle. Keep aside.
16. Grind the sauteed onion+ tomatoes mixture into a smooth puree. Keep aside.
17. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a pan.
18. Add butter.
19. When the butter melts, add minced green chili. Saute for a minute.
20. Add ginger garlic paste, saute until the raw smell disappears.
21. Now add nutmeg powder and spice mix. Saute for a few seconds.
22. Add the onion+tomato puree. Mix well.
23. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, paprika powder, sugar and salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
24. Crush kasoori methi between your palms, add it to the cooking gravy. Cook for a minute.
25. Add grilled paneer cubes, red and green bell peppers and onions. Mix well, cook for 2-3 minutes.Turn off the heat.
26. Garnish with coriander leaves.
27. Serve.