Paneer Tikka Masala
May 23rd, 2010 filed under Gluten Free, Gravy / Sauces, Paneer (Indian Cheese)
Paneer Tikka Masala is a gourmet dish which is simple to cook but very flavorful. Marinated paneer with tomato gravy makes a delightful dish for a formal dinner.
Recipe will serve 4.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pond of paneer
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger or ginger juice
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 tablespoon oil
For Gravy
- 3 medium size tomatoes
- 1 green pepper adjust to your taste
- 1 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- Pinch of asafetida
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (dagi or kashmiri mirch)
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon corn starch (arrow root)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
Method
- Slice the paneer in about 1/8 inch thick and about in one inch squares.
- Mix ginger, salt, pepper, coriander, and yogurt with sliced paneer in a bowl, cover it and let the mixture marinate for at least an hour. It is better to have the paneer marinate in a refrigerator.
- Blend tomatoes and green chilies to make a puree and keep aside.
- Dissolve the corn starch in 2 tablespoons of water and keep aside. Corn starch is used to give thickness to gravy.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in flat frying pan on medium heat, making sure to oil the entire surface of the pan.
- Next put the marinated paneer in frying pan and gently stir-fry for about 3 to 4 minutes until paneer becomes light brown.
- Take out the paneer in a bowl and use the same frying pan to make the gravy.
- To prepare the gravy, add 1 table spoon of oil in a frying pan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if seed cracks right away oil is ready
- Add cumin seeds and asafetida after seeds crack add bay leaves and stir for a few seconds.
- Add the tomato puree, coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder, sugar, and cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat.
- Add the corn starch mix stir for few minutes till the sauce thickens.
- Add the stir-fry paneer in the tomato gravy and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes on low medium heat.
- Turn off the heat and add cilantro and garam masala stir slowly and cover the pan for few minutes.
- Serve hot with your choice of Indian bread or over the rice.
- Enjoy!
Thank you so much, I going to try. look like nice. By
Hello Aunty,
I have a quick question, can I make this recipe a day before the party, as an appetizer without the gravy and then heat it in the oven.
Please guide me.
Thanks & Regards
Nannu
Hi Nannu,
Yes this will work for appetizer I nrmally will serve over fresh spinach leaves.
Hi Aunty,
You are great. My husband not eat garlic and onions and I had problem how to make vegitables but when I vist your site my problem solved. Thank you very much.
Excellent recipe. Well done.
Hello Manjula-ji,
I watch your cooking videos often. They are really good. Your instructions are easy to follow.
I am hoping to prepare paneer tikka masala this weekend. It looks simple to make.
Thanks,
R
Again, LOVE this site! If anyone is looking for a good alternative to paneer, try extra firm tofu. I have used it successfully in making palak paneer, and I think it would definitely work here as well. Just make sure to dry the tofu thoroughly between two paper towels with a weight of some sort on top.
You read my mind! I was looking for a tikkea masala recipe, but all of them have heavy cream as thickener agent (and we are trying to reduce fat in this household!), so your recipe is perfect. Thank you and I’ll let you know the results.
Raquel from Florida
Hello aunty,
Amazing,it teally came out good. Whenever you cook something it looks like my mum is doing it. Bfore marriage she use to be after me to learn cooking and I never did that. But after marriage she taught me the same way as you do. Sometimes you are my life saver.
Thanks and take care.
Hi Aunty,
We like to follow Ekadashi days without grains, beans and lentils. Do you have any recipe for these? {For example buckwheat is not a grain. So instead of rice or wheat we cook buckwheat.}
Hello aunty,
Your site is my rescue those days when i fall short of onions and garlic in my house.Though my family loves these two indgredients, we quite like your preparations too.
Thanks a lot.