Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Indian Dish

Paneer tikka masala recipe is a popular Indian dish that is enjoyed all around the world. It is a vegetarian dish that is made with paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese, and a creamy tomato-based sauce. This dish is easy to make and is perfect for vegetarians, as well as anyone who wants to try a new and delicious Indian dish. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make paneer tikka masala at home.

Ingredients

Before we get started on the recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients that you will need:

For the Paneer Tikka:

• 250 grams of paneer (cut into cubes)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 1 tablespoon of ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon of garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons of yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of gram flour
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala
• Salt (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon of oil

For the Masala:

• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon of ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon of garlic paste
• 2 green chilies (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• 1 cup of tomato puree
• 1 cup of water
• Salt (to taste)
• 1/2 cup of cream
• 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves

Method

Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s move on to the recipe:

Step 1: Preparing the Paneer Tikka

1. In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, gram flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt.
2. Add the paneer cubes, bell peppers, and onion to the mixture, and coat them well with the marinade.
3. Let the mixture marinate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan, and add the marinated paneer, bell peppers, and onion.
5. Cook on high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the paneer is golden brown.

Step 2: Making the Masala

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan, and add the cumin seeds.
2. When the cumin seeds start to splutter, add the chopped onion, ginger paste, and garlic paste, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
3. Add the green chilies, coriander powder, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the tomato puree and water, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the masala thickens.
5. Add the cooked paneer tikka to the masala, and stir well.
6. Add the cream and chopped coriander leaves, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve hot with rice or naan.

Tips

• Make sure to cut the paneer into equal-sized cubes, so that they cook evenly.
• You can adjust the amount of chili powder and green chilies according to your taste.
• If you don’t have gram flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead. 
• For a healthier version, you can use low-fat yogurt and cream. You can also add other vegetables of your choice, such as mushrooms or potatoes, to the paneer tikka.
• If you want a smoky flavor in your paneer tikka, you can grill the marinated paneer and vegetables on a charcoal grill.

 

Variations

Paneer tikka masala is a versatile dish, and there are many variations of this recipe. Here are a few variations that you can try:

 

1. Tikka Masala Curry

Instead of making the paneer tikka separately, you can add the marinated paneer and vegetables directly to the masala, and cook everything together in one pot. This will give you a more saucy and curry-like consistency.

 

2. Tikka Masala Pizza

You can use the paneer tikka as a topping for your pizza, along with some cheese and vegetables of your choice.

 

3. Tikka Masala Wrap

You can wrap the paneer tikka and masala in a tortilla or roti, along with some lettuce, onion, and mint chutney, to make a delicious and filling wrap.

Conclusion

Paneer tikka masala is a delicious and easy-to-make Indian dish that is perfect for vegetarians, as well as anyone who wants to try a new and exotic dish. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can make this mouth-watering dish at home and impress your friends and family. So go ahead and give this recipe a try, and let us know how it turned out!

FAQs

1- Can I use store-bought paneer for this recipe?

     Yes, you can use store-bought paneer if you don’t have homemade paneer.

2- How long can I marinate the paneer and vegetables?

     You can marinate the paneer and vegetables for up to 24 hours in the fridge.

3- Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt?

     Yes, you can use Greek yogurt, but you may need to adjust the consistency of the marinade.

4- Can I make this dish vegan?

     Yes, you can make this dish vegan by using tofu instead of paneer, and coconut cream instead of dairy cream.

5- Can I freeze leftover paneer tikka masala?

     Yes, you can freeze leftover paneer tikka masala for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

You can also read – Rajma Recipe: A Hearty and Delicious Indian Dish