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–+ servings

Indian Cottage Cheese Bites / Paneer Tikka 

Jyoti Behrani
This Paneer Tikka is a very quick and delicious appetizer recipe made with some marinated paneer or Indian cottage cheese and is grilled to give a nice smoky flavor. 
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Print Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Appetizer, snacks
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 28 oz paneer cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 large onion chopped into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 large green bell pepper chopped into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 large red bell pepper chopped into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 cup thick yogurt
  • 2 tablespoon chickpea flour/besan
  • 2 tablespoon ghee/butter/oil
  • ½ tablespoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
  • 2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • 8 bamboo skewers soaked in water for 15 min

For Tempering:

  • 2 tablespoon mustard oil / or any other cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

For Serving:

  • 2 teaspoon chat masala
  • Few lemon wedges
  • 1 onion cut into thin slices

Instructions
 

Instructions for Air Fryer Cooking:

  • On a medium heat, in a pan, add ghee, when the ghee melts add besan. Roast the besan for 2-3 min or until besan is lightly roasted. Turn off the heat.
  • In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, and roasted besan. Wisk well.
  • Add paneer, bell peppers, onion, mix well.
  • Prepare the tempering, heat the oil in pan, when oil is hot, turn off the heat. Add turmeric powder. Pour this tempering over the paneer and vegetables mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate the marinated paneer for min of 30 min to an hour.
  • Now using the bamboo skewers, arrange the paneer and vegetable pieces, alternating the pieces. Evenly distribute the paneer and vegetables on all the skewers.
  • Pre-heat the air fryer to 370*Carefully place the skewers in the air frying basket. Air fry for 7 min.
  • Repeat step 6, until all the paneer and vegetables is cooked.
  • Before serving, sprinkle some chat masala, some lemon juice and serve with some onion slices / onion lachcha. Enjoy!

Instructions for Convention Oven Cooking:

  • On a medium heat, in a pan, add ghee, when the ghee melts add besan. Roast the besan for 2-3 min or until besan is lightly roasted. Turn off the heat.
  • In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, and roasted besan. Wisk well.
  • Add paneer, bell peppers, onion, mix well.
  • Prepare the tempering, heat the oil in pan, when oil is hot, turn off the heat. Add turmeric powder. Pour this tempering over the paneer and vegetables mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate the marinated paneer for min of 30 min to an hour.
  • Now using the bamboo skewers, arrange the paneer and vegetable pieces, alternating the pieces. Evenly distribute the paneer and vegetables on all the skewers.
  • Pre-heat the oven at 400*Arrange the skewers on a baking tray. Bake for 7 min. Switch to broil mode for 2 min to get the vegetables char.
  • Before serving, sprinkle some chat masala, some lemon juice and serve with some onion slices / onion lachcha. Enjoy!

Instructions for Stove Top Cooking:

  • On a medium heat, in a pan, add ghee, when the ghee melts add besan. Roast the besan for 2-3 min or until besan is lightly roasted. Turn off the heat.
  • In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, and roasted besan. Wisk well.
  • Add paneer, bell peppers, onion, mix well.
  • Prepare the tempering, heat the oil in pan, when oil is hot, turn off the heat. Add turmeric powder. Pour this tempering over the paneer and vegetables mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate the marinated paneer for min of 30 min to an hour.
  • Now using the bamboo skewers, arrange the paneer and vegetable pieces, alternating the pieces. Evenly distribute the paneer and vegetables on all the skewers.
  • Heat a griddle/tava, spread some oil, place the skewers on the griddle and cook for 1 min on each side. Cook until the edges of the paneer and vegetables start to char slightly.
  • Repeat step 6, until all the paneer and vegetables is cooked.
  • Before serving, sprinkle some chat masala, some lemon juice and serve with some onion slices / onion lachcha. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Please use the timings as a guideline, different types/brands of air fryer/convention oven function differently.
  2. Adjust the spiciness as per taste. Add less red chili powder, garam masala for a milder flavors.
  3. Variety of vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, zucchini (green/yellow) can also be added for a medley of tikkas/grilled veggies.
  4. Firm tofu can also be substituted instead of paneer for a healthier option.
  5. Mustard oil gives this dish a smoky flavor without using the tandoor/grill. You may use any other oil as well. 

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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