28 December 2009

WIPGYOR series: Green is for Paneer tikka masala

Isn't green a beautiful colour? Say the word green and the first thing that comes to my mind is lush green meadows, serenity and beauty! Anyone ever wondered why people turn green with envy? :)

For my rainbow series, I decided to make some paneer tikka masala. This recipe is loosely adapted from a cookbook I got from the library called 'curry lover's cookbook' by Mridula Baljekar. It is a fairly simple recipe, so you could make the marinade ahead of time if you wish and simply bake the tikkas when its time to serve!



Ingredients:
For the marinade:
400 g paneer (thats the standard Nanak paneer pack we get here in Vancity), cut into bite-sized cubes
1 cup cilantro/coriander leaves
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup thick curd
1 green chilli
2 cloves garlic
1/2 inch ginger
1/2 tsp sugar
salt to taste
1 tbsp lime/lemon juice

Combine all ingredients except the paneer in a blender until well blended. Marinate the paneer and let it sit it in refrigerator for atleast 20 mins.

When its time to make the tikkas:
-thread the paneer on to wooden kebab skewers. Meanwhile, preheat the grill.
-Brush the paneer pieces with oil and grill for about 5-7 mins. Occasionally turn and brush the paneer with more marinade.

For the tikka sauce:
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp almonds
1 cup water
1 tbsp oil/butter

-Heat the oil/butter in a pan and fry the onion for about 5 mins until brown.
-Add the remaining tikka marindate and fry for 2 mins
-Add the tomato paste, almonds and water and simmer for 15 mins
-Cool the mixture. When cooled, put it into a blender and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan.
-Remove the paneer from the skewers and add it to the pan. Simmer gently for 5 more minutes
-Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and yogurt. Serve with warm chapatis or naan.

Enjoy,
V

4 comments:

Ms.Chitchat said...

Wow, what a lovely, yet easy recipe. Color and the pic is perfect.

Chitchat
http://chitchatcrossroads.blogspot.com/

notyet100 said...

lovely colour,..n the tikka looks yum,..

Sheetal Kiran said...

Green is for paneer tikka masala ... and Y is yummmmy, Vinaya! I am coming over to binge on this!

Vinaya said...

Ms.Chitchat,
Isnt it an easy recipe? I tried it for the first time but it came out quite good!

notyet100,
thanks :)

Sheetal,
M is for Many many thanks for your lovely comment!!!!