Wednesday 4 January 2012

Paneer tikka masala

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...is such a popular dish here in UK, it puts me to shame. I mean at least the ones I have tasted are so goddamn horrible, I have no idea how people eat it assuming its one of the most awesomest Indian dishes to date. I tried it at a restaurant once and it was so sweet and horrible, I don't even want to describe how the store bought ones tasted.

See, when I first came UK 4 years back, for one whole year, we survived on store bought ready meals and such and since the tikka masala's looked popular here, I used to quench my poor Indian palate with those pathetic store bought tikka masala preparations and each time I swore never to buy it again.

It was only recently I made myself a batch of the paneer tikka masala at home and realised it was actually so so so much more different and better than the restaurant/ store bought ones. I'm sure the authentic Indian restaurants will do justice, but I've had terrible bad luck with take always and never again will I buy this.

That said, making it is no easy feat. Its time consuming and messy, not to mention highly unhealthy. But once in a while I guess its ok to indulge (although I notice, this once-in-a-while is becoming a little too often), so go ahead and make this. Its fabulous with parathas and naan.
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Recipe adapted from here and here
For marinade
Paneer- 200- 220 gms (around 2-21/2 cups), cut into cubes
Greek yoghurt- 3 tbsp
Chilli powder- 1/2 tsp
Ginger paste- 1/2 tbsp
Garlic paste- 1/2 tbsp
Tandoori masala- 1 tsp (optional)
Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)- 1/2 tsp, crushed
Lime juice- a few splashes
Salt- to taste
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For the sauce
Ginger paste- 1/2 tbsp
Garlic paste- 1/2 tbsp
Tomato purée- 1 cup
Kashmiri chilli powder- 1 tsp
Coriander powder- 1 tsp
Garam masala- 1/2 tsp
Kasoori methi- 1 tsp, crushed
Single pouring cream- around 1/4 cup
Sugar- 1/2 tsp
Oil- 1/2 tbsp
Water- 1 cup
Salt- to taste
Coriander leaves- 2 tbsp (optional)
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If the paneer is store bought, then cut them into cubes and pour some hot water over. Keep aside for a couple of minutes and then drain to get soft, clean paneer.
Marinate the paneer with all the ingredients under the 'to marinate' section and keep aside for 1/2 an hour.
When ready to use, preheat the oven to about 200C.
Line a baking tray with aluminium foil and layer the paneer on it.
Bake for about 5 minutes on each side and then turn the grill mode and broil on high for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, to get a charred effect.
Remove from the tray and keep aside.
In a large saucepan heat the oil and add the ginger and garlic paste. Cover to avoid spluttering all over the place.
Add the tomato puree and cook, stirring in between, for about 5 minutes
In goes the chilli powder and coriander powder, stir it in a cook further, till you start noticing the oil separate.
Add half the water, stir and bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce heat and add the sugar and kasoori methi. Stir it in and cook for a couple of minutes
Finally slide in the paneer tikka and garam masala and stir to cover the paneer pieces with all the gravy.
Add about 1/2 cup more of water, stir well and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Check for salt, add if required.
Just before taking it off the flame, reduce heat and stir in the cream.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
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Notes: Replace paneer with chicken, voila..chicken tikka masala :)
I am thinking, there are so many ways of making this, but this clicked for us and we loved it

34 comments:

Nithu Bala said...

Wow! what a delicious curry..thanks for the recipe:-)

Shabs.. said...

Thats a nice one...I too make this at home and hubs and son loves it! My hubby once told me the same thing about chicken tikka masala that it was sweet and horrible, so we never ever bought it. And when he says horrible, it would be something that is inedible. So i know how bad that cud be. And I guess it is the same as butter panner but with a fancy name:). Urs look great!

Archana said...

looks so yummy. love it.
Happy New year to you.

Satrupa said...

Happy New Year Sweetie :) The Paneer Tikka Masala looks fab ..... luv the way u have served it in a cup. Hope you have a gr8 culinary year ahead :)

Lifewithspices said...

Very yummy paneer tikka masala.. love the color n the clicks..

Aarthi said...

yummy masala..i love this

Jessica Dimas said...

Looks so flavorful!!! Looking forward to trying it!

Santosh Bangar said...

paneer tikka is looking inviting

Santosh Bangar said...

paneer tikka is looking inviting

Indian Khana said...

Looks so fab ....love the colour of it ...so tempting

Vimitha Durai said...

I adore this with naans. Looks so yummy

Sheetal said...

This is awesome recipe! I am gonna try it soon

Anisha said...

It looks sooo delicious... love the pictures...

Priya Suresh said...

Omg, makes me hungry,wat a stunning and droolworthy paneer tikka masala.

Unknown said...

Wow tikka masala looks perfect and tempting too...Beautiful setup and clicks

Unknown said...

wow mouth watering tikka masala...luv the presentation very creative..
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Pavithra Elangovan said...

My fav one too.. looks absolutely yummy ....

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Paneer tikka masala looks simply awesome.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

divya said...

Wish you and your family a very Happy New Year...super delicious curry....

Torviewtoronto said...

delicious curry looks wonderful

Sayali said...

looks damn good....the color has comem out perfectly

Sravs said...

wow what a delicious looking paneer !! yummy

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Love and other Spices said...

Love paneer any day and I add some veggies too,to get more out of it.

Suja Manoj said...

Good one dear,looks fabulous..Happy New Year

Amina Creations said...

wow... paneer tikka masala looks awesome... delicious..

Rinku Naveen said...

Happy New Year Nisha! Lovely post. I guess marination is the secret behind yummy dishes. It tastes so different and now I am a big fan of slow cooking too.

Deeps @ Naughty Curry said...

looks yum! i dint know paneer is marinated for tikka masala.. love that orange colour

Unknown said...

i really get annoyed, after knowing i'm from India, people ask me for tikka masala recipe and not even on single day i have cooked that, now i can happily pass on yours, looks wonderful and enjoy final days in India, remember there are always more holidays and travels in new year!

Monet said...

We all need these splurge meals, I think. Thank you for the lovely post. After a very stressful day, I'm finally sitting down to tea, and it is so relaxing to see these delicious bowls and read your words. I hope you are having a blessed start to your new year. Much love from Austin!

TheYummyMorsel said...

Tongue-tickling!

Reflections said...

Looks totally yummylicious:-))

Unknown said...

wow, gorgeous pictures. i love paneer tikka masala, never made it though, only eat it outside. :-) gorgeous.

farah saleem said...

love the recipe! cant wait to try it!!

Bhagat.S said...

mmmuuuaaahhh...oh dis is tongue blowing :)