Paneer /tofu tikka
Paneer tikka is a popular Indian appetizer where chunks of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled in a tandoor( a traditional clay oven) and if you don’t have one, just barbecue the paneer tikka on a barbecue! And if you don’t have a barbecue, pan fry the tikka on a tawa (Indian griddle). If you are plant-based vegan, you can use firm tofu as well.
My take on this dish is that I have changed it up a bit and included Harissa, a North African Chilli paste which is a blend of hot red peppers, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, caraway seeds, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, salt and lemon juice.
The marinade is a blend of yogurt, garlic paste, ginger paste, Harissa, Himalayan salt and cumin ground.
PANEER TIKKA WITH SPICY MINT CHUTNEY
Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs Paneer cheese or firm tofu
First marinade
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp garlic paste
2 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp Himalayan salt
1/4 cup olive oil
Second Marinade
4 tbs plain greek yogurt
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp dried parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut paneer or tofu into thick cubes or in triangles or rectangles.
Mix the ingredients from the first marinade and marinate (paneer, tofu) for 20 minutes
Mix the ingredients from the second marinade and pour over the paneer, tofu , or chicken and marinate for 6 hours at least in the refrigerator
Grill on barbecue on medium high heat for 10 -15 minutes till you see the paneer with grill marks or golden brown.
Serve immediately with spicy mint chutney from my previous post.
Click here for Chicken tikka recipe