Easy Recipe to Make Paneer Tikka Masala at Home

Paneer Tikka Masala is a popular Indian dish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is a creamy and delicious curry that is made up of grilled cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and a rich tomato-based sauce. If you are a fan of Indian food and want to learn how to make this delicious curry at home, then you have come to the right place.

Making homemade Paneer Tikka Masala may seem like a daunting task, but with the right ingredients and some easy-to-follow steps, it is actually quite simple. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making Paneer Tikka Masala from scratch. We will provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you make a delicious and flavorful curry that you can enjoy with friends and family. So, get ready to cook up a storm in your kitchen and impress your loved ones with this delicious Indian dish!

Ingredients

To make delicious paneer tikka masala, you will need a variety of flavorful ingredients. Here are the key ingredients you will need:

Paneer

Paneer, a type of farmer cheese, is the star ingredient of this dish. It has a mild flavor and a firm texture that makes it perfect for grilling.

Vegetables

Vegetables like onions, bell peppers and tomatoes are essential for a balanced flavor. They add a subtle sweetness, tartness and crunch to the tikka masala.

Spices

A combination of ground spices is used in the marinade for the paneer and veggies. Garam masala, cumin, coriander and turmeric are the most important spices that provide a complex flavor to the dish.

Yogurt

Yogurt acts as a tenderizer for the paneer, making it more soft and juicy. It also adds a tangy element that balances out the spices.

Ginger and Garlic

The combination of ginger and garlic is used as a flavor base for many Indian dishes. It adds a pungent, earthy flavor to the marinade.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is used to balance the flavors of the dish. Its acidic tanginess complements the sweetness of onions and tomatoes.

Cream or Butter

Adding a small amount of cream or butter gives the tikka masala a rich, creamy taste without making it too heavy. It can also tone down the spiciness of the dish.

Cilantro

Cilantro is an herb that adds freshness to the dish. It has a slightly citrusy flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Salt

A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of all other ingredients, making the dish more flavorful.

Oil

Oil is used in the marinade and for grilling the paneer and veggies. It prevents the food from sticking to the grill and adds a crispy texture to the outside.

Marinating Paneer and Vegetables

Once you have gathered all your ingredients, the first step in making paneer tikka masala is to marinate the paneer and vegetables. Cut paneer and vegetables like onions and bell peppers into small, bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, mix together yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, ground spices, salt, lemon juice, and cream or butter to create a marinade. Fold in cubed paneer and vegetables, ensuring that they are well coated in the marinade.

You can let the paneer and vegetables marinade for at least an hour, up to overnight. Make sure to let them rest in the refrigerator to keep the flavors from melding together.

Grilling the Paneer and Vegetables

Once the paneer and vegetables have marinated, it’s time to grill them. You can use a grill pan or outdoor grill for this step. Brush the grill with oil and preheat it to medium-high heat.

Skewer the paneer and vegetables. Make sure the skewers are packed but not too tight so that the heat can penetrate fully. Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until you see grill marks.

Once the paneer and vegetables are grilled, remove them from the skewers and set them aside.

Making Tikka Masala Sauce

The final step in making paneer tikka masala is to create the tikka masala sauce. In a separate pan, heat oil over medium heat and add diced onions. Fry the onions until they become translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste, diced tomatoes, and garam masala. Cook until the tomatoes are well-cooked and the mixture becomes fragrant.

At this point, you can add cream or butter to the mixture to create a creamier texture. Add salt to taste.

Next, add the grilled paneer and vegetables into the pan and stir until the paneer and vegetables are well coated. Finally, add chopped cilantro and remove from heat.

Serving

Serve hot with your choice of rice or naan bread. You can also garnish the dish with extra cilantro and a dollop of cream or butter.

Now that you know how to make delicious paneer tikka masala, you can impress your friends and family with this authentic and flavorful Indian dish. Enjoy!

Ingredients Required for Making Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Masala is a popular Indian dish that is enjoyed by everyone around the world. It is a dish that is made by marinating paneer cubes in spices and yogurt, which are then grilled until they are golden and crispy. In this article, we will take you through the process of making Paneer Tikka Masala step by step. The first step in making this dish is to collect the necessary ingredients. Here are the ingredients required for making Paneer Tikka Masala.

1. Paneer

Paneer is a soft and crumbly cheese that is used in many Indian dishes, including Paneer Tikka Masala. It is essential to use fresh paneer that is not too soft or crumbly, as it will be tough to cut into cubes.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt is used in the marinade of Paneer Tikka Masala. It helps to tenderize the paneer cubes and also adds a tangy flavor to the dish. You can use either full-fat or low-fat yogurt, depending on your preference.

3. Spices

The spices used in Paneer Tikka Masala are what give it its unique flavor. You will need to use a mix of ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, and chili powder.

4. Garlic and ginger paste

Garlic and ginger paste is used to add flavor to the marinade. A good quality store-bought paste can be used, or you can make a fresh paste by grinding garlic and ginger in a mortar and pestle.

5. Lemon juice

Lemon juice is used to add a tangy flavor to the marinade and also helps to tenderize the paneer.

6. Salt

Salt is used to season the dish, so make sure you use it sparingly, as the marinade already contains salt.

7. Onion

Onions are used in the gravy of Paneer Tikka Masala. You will need to finely chop one large onion or two medium-sized onions for the dish.

8. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are used to make the gravy of Paneer Tikka Masala. For this dish, you will need two ripe tomatoes.

9. Oil

Oil is used for cooking the paneer cubes and also for making the gravy. You can use any vegetable oil such as sunflower oil or canola oil.

10. Cream

Cream is used to finish the dish and gives it a creamy and rich texture. You can use heavy cream or full-fat cream for this dish.

In the next section, we will take you through the process of making Paneer Tikka Masala step by step.

Ingredients for Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer tikka masala is a popular Indian dish and is loved by many across the world. This dish is best enjoyed with some rice or naan bread. The ingredients required to make paneer tikka masala are as follows:

Preparation of Paneer Tikka Masala

Now that we have listed the ingredients required to make paneer tikka masala, let’s move on to the preparation of this delicious dish. We will break it down into three steps to make it simpler for you.

Step 1: Preparation of Paneer Tikka

To prepare the paneer tikka, cut the paneer into cubes and marinate it in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin powder, and salt. Keep it aside for 20-30 minutes.

After marinating the paneer, grill it until it is slightly charred on all sides.

Step 2: Preparation of Masala

To prepare the masala, heat butter in a pan and add cashew nuts. Fry them for a minute and then add onions and cook until translucent. Next, add ginger-garlic paste and green chili and cook for another minute.

Now, add tomatoes and cook until they are soft and mushy. Let this mixture cool down and then puree it in a blender.

In the same pan, add some more butter and add this tomato puree, cream, and salt. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until the masala starts to thicken.

Step 3: Combining Paneer Tikka and Masala

To combine the paneer tikka and the masala, add the grilled paneer to the masala and mix well. Let it cook for another 3-4 minutes on low heat.

Garnish with some ginger juliennes, finely chopped cilantro, and a dollop of cream. Serve hot with some rice or naan bread.

Tips for making the perfect Paneer Tikka Masala

Making paneer tikka masala can be a little tricky, but by following these tips, you can make the perfect dish:

1. Marinate the paneer for at least 20-30 minutes to ensure that it is flavorful.

2. Grill the paneer until it is slightly charred on all sides. This will give it a smoky flavor and make it more flavorful.

3. Make sure to cook the masala until it thickens and the butter separates from it.

4. Use fresh and ripe tomatoes for the masala and puree it well to ensure a smooth consistency.

5. Garnish with ginger juliennes, finely chopped cilantro, and a dollop of cream to make it look more appetizing.

By following these tips, you can make the perfect paneer tikka masala that will be loved by everyone.

That’s it – ready to go!

Hope you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to follow. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different spices and ingredients for a personal twist. Now, it’s time to sit back, relax and savour the irresistible taste of the paneer tikka masala. Thank you for being with me and hopefully, you’ll join me again with another recipe soon. Till then, happy cooking!