The month of April is a celebratory month in our house as there are so many Indian festivals to celebrate along with my dad’s birthday. My dad loves paneer recipes – Tandoori Paneer Tikka, Shahi Paneer, Palak Paneer and Matar Paratha and in dessert, he can’t get enough of this Shahi Mango Paneer Kheer to name a few. So I wanted to add a little magic to his birthday celebration feast with an extremely delicious Paneer dish which I can serve as a starter. Usually, for an Indian starter, we love barbecued and smoky flavoured dishes rather than deep-fried oily items. Tandoori Paneer Tikka, is a universally loved vegetarian Indian starter, that we all keep coming back to. Sometimes though, it’s nice to mix it up – changing the flavours and textures in a dish isn’t going to harm anyone.
LET’S TALK ABOUT CREAMY PANEER TIKKA V TANDOORI PANEER TIKKA
Let’s put this recipe in one family. If I say creamy paneer tikka is a cousin of tandoori paneer tikka, I may get away with that. Both the dishes are made with using one common ingredient and method, which is paneer and grilling. Only the differences are in the colour, ingredients and flavours. Tandoori paneer tikka is prepared in tandoori marinate (almost fiery red colour) which contains red chilli powder, ginger garlic paste, yogurt. Tandoori paneer tikka is slightly tangier and spicier. Whereas creamy paneer tikka marinated in a much milder and richer marinate (creamy pale yellow sauce) which contains more exotic spices, yogurt and cream. It’s rich in taste but not overpowering and definitely palatable for all. Now you know more about Creamy Paneer Tikka, let’s see what you’ll need to prepare and how to make creamy paneer tikka at home.
INGREDIENTS FOR CREAMY PANEER TIKKA
For these soft, creamy and juicy creamy paneer tikka, you’ll need following ingredients, a couple of them are optional and a few you can alternate if it’s not available in your area. Most of the ingredients for this recipe should be locally available. First and most wanted item for this recipe is Paneer – For this recipe, ONLY use firm and hard paneer, which you can cut into small chunks. Nowadays Paneer ( Indian cottage cheese ) is easily available in most of the supermarkets, or go to your nearest Indian grocery store. If you can’t get hold of it don’t despair as paneer is so easy to make at home with only 2 ingredients. Here is my foolproof Homemade Paneer recipe. Dairy – You also need hung yogurt or full fat thick such as Greek or Turkish yogurt. Also, double cream. ( You may get away with using single cream too ) Exotic Spices – Along with world’s most expensive spice Saffron, you’ll require cardamom powder and Shahi Jeera (caraway seeds). Basic Spices – Cracked Fennel seeds, Coriander seeds and black pepper. You’ll also need white pepper powder, amchur powder ( dry mango powder), Chaat Masala (optional) and lemon juice. Vegetables – Fresh green capsicum or bell peppers, ginger and garlic. Othe ingredients – Besan ( fine chickpea flour ) and Kasoori methi ( optional ). Fat – Oil or Butter.
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY PANEER TIKKA?
First, prepare marinade by combining yogurt, cream, gram flour and spices. Do not add any extra water to make marinate thinner. Cut paneer and capsicum into cubes. Add into the prepared marinade. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and leave it at least for half an hour, allow to marinate the paneer, the longer the better. Once ready to make, thread paneer and capsicum in a skewer. Grill on a grilled pan. You can also grill or bake paneer tikka in/on Oven Microwave BBQ
HOW TO SERVE CREAMY PANEER TIKKA?
Creamy Paneer Tikka can be served as a starter, entree or appetizer. Once tikkas are off the pan/grill carefully remove from the skewer and serve it on a serving plate, sprinkle some chaat masala or lemon juice to bring out the levitate the best flavours and taste. Serve piping hot tikka with mint and yogurt dip or green spicy chutney, along with thinly sliced fresh and crispy ( keep the onion slices in icy water for half an hour) red onion, lemon wedges and fresh salad.
ENJOY CREAMY PANEER TIKKA
Make these easy, straight forward and drool-worthy creamy paneer tikka on a small get-together, your next bbq party or father’s day and impress your friends and family. I bet there will be none left for you to try.
HAVE YOU MADE OUR CREAMY PANEER TIKKA?
Excellent! Glad you liked our creamy paneer tikka recipe, I hope you have taken a quick pics of it. Now share a pics on our social media Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest using a hashtag #jcookingodyssey. We are thrilled to see a recreation of this lip-smacking paneer starter.
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