Paneer Tikka

Here’s a classic recipe for Paneer Tikka, a popular Indian appetizer made from marinated paneer (Indian cottage cheese) grilled to perfection:

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1 cup thick yogurt (hung curd or Greek yogurt works well)
• 2 tbsp gram flour (besan)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp chaat masala
• 1/2 tsp black salt (kala namak), optional
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp mustard oil or any vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

For the Paneer and Vegetables:

• 400g paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large bell pepper (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large tomato, seeds removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• Wooden or metal skewers

For Garnish:

• Lemon wedges
• Chaat masala
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Marinade:

1. In a mixing bowl, add the yogurt and whisk until smooth.
2. Add the gram flour, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, chaat masala, black salt (if using), lemon juice, mustard oil, and salt.
3. Mix well to form a thick marinade.

2. Marinate the Paneer and Vegetables:

1. Add the paneer cubes, bell pepper pieces, onion pieces, and tomato pieces to the marinade.
2. Gently mix to coat all the ingredients well with the marinade.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-3 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the paneer and vegetables.

3. Prepare the Skewers:

1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
2. Thread the marinated paneer and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between paneer, bell pepper, onion, and tomato pieces.

4. Cook the Paneer Tikka:

• Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the paneer and vegetables are lightly charred and cooked through.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or a wire rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the paneer and vegetables are cooked and slightly charred.
• Stovetop: Heat a grill pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the paneer and vegetables have a nice char.

5. Serve:

1. Remove the skewers from the grill, oven, or pan.
2. Sprinkle with chaat masala and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
3. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side and mint chutney or any dipping sauce of your choice.

Enjoy your delicious and flavorful homemade Paneer Tikka!