Tawa Paneer Tikka š§ Restaurant-Style Without Tandoor or Oven | Soft, Spicy & Easy
Tawa Paneer Tikka
Restaurant-style paneer tikka ā no tandoor, no oven
Soft, juicy paneer marinated in a spiced yogurt-besan masala and pan-seared on a tawa until smoky and charred. A quick, restaurant-style starter you can make at home with no tandoor or oven ā perfect with mint or coriander chutney, or wrapped in a roll.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- Ā½ cup thick yogurt (dahi)
- 1 tbsp gram flour (besan)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tbsp red chilli powder
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- Ā½ tsp chaat masala
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp oil
For the Tikka
- Ā½ kg paneer, cut into large thin squares
- Oil, for greasing the tawa
Instructions
- Make the marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together the thick yogurt, besan, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, garam masala, chaat masala and salt. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add 1 tbsp oil (this keeps the paneer soft). Mix into a smooth paste.
- Coat the paneer. Add the paneer squares and gently coat each piece on both sides, taking care not to break them.
- Marinate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours so the flavours soak in.
- Cook on the tawa. Heat a flat tawa and lightly grease it with oil. Place the paneer pieces and cook on medium heat.
- Brown both sides. Cook until both sides are well-done and the masala has adhered to the paneer; any moisture released will dry up, leaving a nice spiced coating.
- Serve. Serve hot with mint or coriander chutney ā or wrap it in a roll!
Pro tip: The 1 tbsp oil plus besan in the marinade keeps the paneer soft and helps the masala cling ā no dry, crumbly tikka.
Devi's Delish · devisdelish.com