PANEER TIKKA /CHAR GRILLED COTTAGE CHEESE

PANEER TIKKA , on stove top - spiced marinated cottage cheese cubes pan fried on a tawa .
paneer tikka is  arranged on skewers and grilled or baked in the oven. specifically the recipe is called as tandoori paneer tikka, as the paneer is cooked in the tandoor which lends a subtle smoky charcoal flavor to the paneer. paneer tikka is usually served as a starter. other variation of this popular snack are mushroom tikka.
Since diwali is just after a day, i thought of sharing this paneer tikka recipe… yes, it one of those recipes that you can make on any special or festive occasion.
this is my take on paneer tikka, different people have different recipes for the same.

Recipe:
SERVES: 3-4

Main ingredients:...

• 250 to 300 gms paneer/cottage cheese
• 1 medium to large capsicum
• 1 medium to large tomato
• 1 medium to large onion

For the marinade:

• 250 gms thick yogurt
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp kasuri methi/dry fenugreek leaves, crushed
• 1 tsp coriander powder/dhania powder
• 1 tsp kitchen king masala
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 1/2 tsp lime juice
• Salt as required
• 3-4 tbsp oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepping the paneer & veggies:

• Slice the paneer into ¼ inch squares
• Halve the onion and remove each layer one by one.
• Dice the capsicum
• Dice the tomatoes too the same way. remove the seeds from the tomatoes.
• Keep the veggies and paneer aside.

Preparing the marinade:

• First whisk the thick yogurt till smooth in a bowl , add all the spices and herbs, stir and mix well ,
• add the diced vegetables (onion, tomato and capsicum) along with paneer slices.
• With your hands mix very well so that the marinade coats the paneer and veggies evenly.
• Cover the bowl & keep the marinade in the fridge for 15-20 minutes , you can also keep overnight.

Making the tikka:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non stick pan/tawa ,coat the paneer and veggies with the marinade and place them on the tawa. you can fry at a low flame or medium flame.
• when one side gets browned, gently lift and turn over. the paneer cubes will get cooked faster than the veggies.
• Don't fill the pan completely with the veggies nd paneer, fry them in batches , so that they can get cooked evenly.
• You can can char or brown the veggies more , but remember to remove the paneer cubes as soon as they are golden ,cooking the paneer more will make it chewy.
• while still hot, then skewer the fried paneer cubes and veggies on to a wooden skewer or toothpick.
• arrange them in a serving plate and serve the paneer tikka hot or warm with onion lemon salad and mint chutney.