Paneer Tikka Masala

Whenever I visit an Indian restaurant with my family, one paneer / cottage cheese item is ordered from the menu. It might be paneer tikka, paneer ghee roast, paneer butter masala or paneer makhanwala. And within the next few days, that item is replicated in my kitchen 🙂 In the recipe below paneer is marinated along with capsicum and onion and then grilled in an oven or on stove top. This is called paneer tikka. This is then added to the onion tomato gravy along with other spices and cream. There are two way in which you can make the onion tomato gravy. I have mentioned one in the steps and other one in the tip section. Non-vegetarians can substitute paneer with your favorite meat or fish and vegetarian can even substitute it with tofu, babycorn, mushroom or potatoes. You can check out my recipe on homemade paneer. You can also check out other delicious recipes like

Chole Tikka Masala Mushroom Butter Masala Palak Paneer Paneer Bhurji Cauliflower Lababdar Babycorn Mushroom Ghee Roast  Mushroom Gravy

Preparation time : 1 hour Serves : 3 Step I (Marination) For the Masala  Cumin seeds - 1 tsp Onion chopped - 1 Garlic cloves chopped - 2 Ginger grated - ½ inch Green chilies chopped- 1 Tomatoes  - 2 Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp Red chile powder - ½ tsp Garam masala Powder - ¼ tsp Chaat masala - ¼ teaspoon (optional) Coriander powder - ½ tsp  (optional) Cream - 2 tbsp Dried kasuri methi - ½ tsp Salt - to taste Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp

Add all the ingredients mentioned in ‘For the Marination’ and mix well till the spices are combined except paneer, onion, capsicum Now add the cubed paneer, onion, capsicum and toss so that it is well coated. You can also check homemade paneer. Cover and keep it aside for 30 minutes (in a refrigerator).

Step II (For the Tikka)

Heat a non-stick pan and drizzle oil (about a tablespoon or as required). Add the marinated ingredients and cook it on a pan till it develops some color. ( I personally love this method as it is quick and easy) Alternatively, paneer tikkas can also be prepared in an oven using skewers. This process will be little longer.

Step III (Masala)

Meanwhile you can heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds. Add onion, green chilies, ginger, garlic, turmeric powder, pinch of salt and saute till onions become translucent. Puree the tomatoes and add it along with red chile powder, garam masala powder, chaat masala, coriander powder and little water for desired consistency, salt and bring it to a nice boil till oil separates. (check alternate method in tip section or here - > Chole tikka masala ) Add the cream, kasuri methi and again boil for 2 - 3  minutes or till you get desired consistency. Finally add the sauteed paneer or paneer tikkas and mix. Paneer Tikka Masala is now ready. Serve hot and enjoy.

Tip:

Alternatively, instead of making puree, you can also saute the tomatoes along with onions and then grind it to smooth paste like the one done in this dish Chole tikka masala If you like it creamy, vary the amount of cream. You can also substitute cream with milk. Vary the spices as per your taste.

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title: “Paneer Tikka Masala” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-18” author: “Daniel Sanchez”

Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Paneer Tikka Masala

Fact: You do not need to be a vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian food. With trends like #MeatlessMonday leading the way, more and more omnivores are incorporating plant-based dishes into their regular meal plans. Not only is it good for you and the planet to cut back on meat, but there is also a fabulous array of vegetarian and vegan recipes you might otherwise be missing! From hearty soups to classic comfort foods, it is amazing the depth of savory and umami flavors you can enjoy – no meat needed. For instance, we love classic Chicken Tikka Masala. However, this vegetarian Paneer variation is just as delicious and happens to be gluten-free. It is even easy to make keto-friendly! You will be amazed at how easy this authentic tikka masala sauce recipe is. Although it tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all day, it’s actually ready in under an hour! Paneer Tikka Masala has the same savory, flavorful gravy as chicken tikka masala but with creamy chunks of paneer instead of the chicken!

What is Paneer?

Paneer is a firm white Indian cheese, with a similar texture to tofu. But while tofu has a rather neutral taste, paneer cheese is a bit more decadent… It is not salty like most cheeses, and has a mildly sweet and nutty flavor that goes well with vibrant seasonings. The firm and mild cheese pairs perfectly with deep Indian flavors, like garam masala, turmeric, and tomatoes. Fresh paneer is marinaded in a luscious blend of yogurt and spices, then pan-seared, and gently simmered with a rich, creamy, and unbelievably flavorful sauce. All of this Paneer Tikka Masala goodness is cooked in only about an hour, so it’s terrific to prepare for Meatless Monday or any night of the week. PS – If you are not vegetarian, but just want a great tikka masala sauce recipe, this is the one! And if you aren’t vegetarian, you can also use the yogurt marinade on chicken or lamb and sauté them the same way you would prepare the paneer.

Ingredients You Need

Paneer and the spices needed to make the tikka masala sauce are all sold at most large grocery chains and international markets. Often the cheese can be found in the freezer section as well as fresh. To make classic Paneer Tikka Masala marinade you need:

Paneer cheese – make your own at home or get it at the store! Plain yogurt – or plain Greek yogurt Garlic Ginger Seasonings – salt, garam masala, ground cumin powder, ground Kashmiri chili, and turmeric

For the masala sauce:

Ghee Onion Garlic Ginger Seasonings – garam masala, salt, turmeric powder, ground Kashmiri chili Tomato sauce Heavy cream

Plus some fresh chopped cilantro (coriander) to garnish. Pro Tip: Garam masala is sold in ready-to-use blends, or you can easily make your own Roasted Garam Masala with our great recipe!

How to Make Paneer Tikka Masala

The first step is to make the marinade for the paneer. Cut the paneer into 1/2 inch cubes and place in a bowl or baking dish. Add the yogurt and all marinade ingredients. Gently toss to coat the paneer in the yogurt and spices. Set aside. To make the vegetarian tikka masala sauce, first set a 4-6 quart saucepot and a large nonstick skillet on the stovetop. To the saucepot add the ghee, diced onion, garlic, and ginger. Turn the heat on medium-low and sauté for 8-10 minutes to soften.  Add in the garam masala, salt, turmeric, and Kashmiri chili. Sauté for another 2 minutes, then stir in the tomato puree. Partially cover and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes. Once the sauce has simmered and reduced a bit, scoop the tomato sauce into the blender. Puree until very smooth. You might need to work in batches depending on the size of your blender jar. Note: If you do not have a high-heat blender, you will need to remove the sauce from the heat and let cool a bit before pureeing, so the heat doesn’t damage the jar. Then pour the puree back into the saucepot and stir in the heavy cream and ½ cup water. Turn off the heat and let the sauce rest. After the sauce is finished and resting, heat the skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place half the paneer cubes in the skillet. Brown the paneer on all sides. Move the golden paneer cubes to a holding plate and repeat with the remaining paneer. Note: If you don’t have a nonstick skillet, make sure to add oil to the skillet so the paneer doesn’t stick. Once all the paneer is cooked, reheat the tikka masala sauce. Gently stir the pan-fried cheese cubes into the sauce. Lastly, stir in a bit of the chopped cilantro (if using).

Serving Suggestions

Serve homemade tikka masala warm with a side of basmati rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Paneer tikka masala is wonderful to scoop up with homemade naan bread, roti or paratha. And we love a side of crispy vegetable pakora with kale, too!

Tips & Tricks

If you can’t find Kashmiri chili, you can replace it with paprika and a bit of cayenne pepper. It is a simple red chili powder with a mild spice! Can’t find paneer at the store? Try making it at home! Or, replace the paneer with tofu! Use an immersion blender if you have one for ease!

Looking for More Delicious Vegetarian Dinner Recipes?

Creamy Saag Paneer Recipe Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (Broccoli Cheese!) Best Vegetarian Pot Pie Spicy Vegan Ramen Crockpot Chickpea Curry Butter Chicken

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