Paneer Tikka | Paneer Tikka Using Oven | Paneer Tikka Using Homemade Tandoori Powder

Paneer tikka is a very popular Indian appetizer, with such appetizing colors, flavor and aroma. Chunks of Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and vegetables are marinated in a yogurt and tandoori masala mixture and grilled to give a very flavorful Indian dish. You can prepare this dish in an otg, tandoor oven or even using a stove top, anyway it will still taste great. Today am gonna discuss about the oven (otg) method. This dish is very easy to prepare when you have the tandoori masala and all other ingredients at hand. I've used homemade tandoori masala which imparts a nice flavor to the dish, you can use the store bought ones too. Finally after grilling using oven I showed the tikkas over direct flame to give the punchy smoky flavor which will make the tikkas taste like the ones cooked in a tandoor oven. Now lets see how to make this delectable, colorful, appetizing and flavorful paneer dish.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 2 people
Preparation Time - 4 to 5 hours or overnight
Grilling time - 20 - 30 minutes

1. Paneer - 150 grams (I used milky-mist paneer) 
2. Capsicum - 1 (Big one)
3. Tomato - 2 
4. Ginger-Garlic paste - 1 teaspoon 
5. Thick curd / Yogurt - 1 cup (125 grams)
6. Tandoori masala powder - 2 teaspoons (Click here for home-made tandoori powder recipe)
7. Red chilli powder - 2 teaspoons 
8. Salt - As per taste (less than 2 teaspoons) 
9. Lemon juice - 2 teaspoons (Plus extra for drizzling) 
10. Chat Masala - As required 
11. Kasoori Methi / Dry Fenugreek leaves - 1 teaspoon 
12. Oil - 1 teaspoon + As required (preferably mustard oil or sunflower oil) 

Extras that you'll need

• Metal Skewers / Bamboo Skewers - 3 or 4 
• Baking tray 
• Aluminium foil (wrapper paper) 
• Brush 

  

PREPARATION METHOD

• Take a cup of thick curd and hang it on a muslin cloth for 30 minutes. This helps to remove excess water. 
• Take this thick curd in a bowl and add red chilli powder, tandoori masala powder, salt, ginger garlic paste, kasoori methi, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp oil and mix well. (If your mixture is runny add a teaspoon of besan flour or corn flour) 
• Set the above curd marinade aside. 
• Take paneer and wash in water (I used store bought paneer), then soak it in warm water for 2 minutes, remove from water and pat dry using a tissue. Now chop into squares or rectangular cubes and set aside. 
• Wash tomatoes and capsicum well in water and pat dry it. Chop the tomatoes into four halves, then using a knife chop off the ends so that it resembles a square. Slice off the seeds using knife and set aside. (Use the seed part for chutneys or making gravies; check the pic below to know how I sliced tomatoes into squares)

• Similarly chop capsicum into halves and remove the seed part in the center and discard it. Chop into squares and set aside. 
• Peel onion and chop off the ends, then cut onion into four halves, you will get the square shape already!
• Now mix the paneer, capsicum, onion and tomato pieces in the curd marinade. Mix gently with your fingers and see that the marinade gets spread on all the pieces well. Do not do this by force else the paneer pieces will break easily. 

• After this set the marinated mix in refrigerator (not freezer) for 4 to 5 hours or overnight. I let the marinade undisturbed overnight, this makes the paneer really very flavvorful. 
• Remove from the refrigerator the following day or after 4 or 5 hours and set aside until it reaches room temperature. 
• Meanwhile line the baking tray with an aluminium foil and set aside. 
• Preheat oven (OTG) at 200° C (app. 400 degree Fahrenheit) for 10 minutes on grill mode. (i.e. heat the top rods alone) 
• Now insert the marinated vegetable and paneer pieces alternatively into the skewers carefully. Do not pack very tight. (If using bamboo skewers, soak the skewers in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes before use to avoid burning) 
• Now spread some oil over the packed skewers using a brush. (you wont be able to brush the oil smoothly just spread it across with the help of the brush, if you apply by force the marinade will come off, so be gentle while applying oil. do not pour too much oil) 
• When done place the skewers on the baking tray and place on the top rack inside the oven. 

• Grill for 10 minutes (same mode, 200° C) then open and remove the tray using oven mitts or gloves. Turn the skewers carefully and brush some oil on this side. 
• Grill this side for another 10 minutes. Remove again and change sides grill for another 5 minutes.
• Check if the paneer has got cooked, the onion, tomato and capsicum pieces will have shrunk by now. 
• Now remove from Oven (OTG). I wanted a more smoky flavor, just like the ones we get from a paneer tikka cooked in tandoor, so I showed the skewers over direct flame (high flame) for a few seconds using my gas stove. It gave a nice smoky punch and burnt effect to the tikkas. Do not show for long, else paneer will become over-burnt and rubbery. 

• Transfer the skewers to a serving plate and drizzle lemon juice over it. Sprinkle chat masala. 
• Serve along with some sliced onions and mint chutney!! 

TIP 1: The oven settings that I have mentioned here is just a general guide, the timings can vary depending on each oven. So check in between to see if your paneer has got cooked. Also the temperature range can vary you can use temperature from 180° C-200° C. If you are not sure, check the manual that came along with your oven, it will guide you best. 

TIP 2: You can do the same with tofu if you are a Vegan. Just replace tofu and follow the same instructions. 

TIP 3: If preparing paneer tikka on a stove top, just toast the marinated paneer and vegetables in a pan (spread little oil around the paneer and vegetables for toasting). Then pack it on skewers or tooth picks, show on direct flame for a few seconds and serve. 

TIP 4: You can add some colorful bell peppers and carrots too along with the tikkas. It will look even more colorful. Tomato slices tends to let out water while baking so you can skip it if you want. 

TIP 5: You can use toothpicks too, but see that you soak it well in cold water before use, as it easily gets burnt. 

Super flavorful Paneer Tikka is now ready!! Serve hot with mint chutney!! Yum!!!!