What is paneer tikka masala

What is paneer tikka masala? This post explains what is paneer tikka is all about and how is differs from paneer butter masala etc.

Trying new dishes in restaurants is always a great experience. A regular experience turns into a super fun and enthusiastic one when the food turns into delicious.

But there are couple of problems we need to face while trying a new dish in new restaurants. The number one problem is choosing the restaurant,  it is much more difficult if we reside in the bigger cities where you have many choices of restaurants. The next problem is choosing the food  from the menu. The third problem is understanding and setting up the expectation of that dish.

All the above three problems are only for the cuisine which you already know about. What if you are in a restaurant in which you did not have any clue about the menu items and their tastes. And these are the difficulties often faced by everyone including you and me.

Very difficult right?

So, this post is an effort to solve some of the doubts generally arises about Indian cuisine's like What is Paneer tikka masala? the most favorited menu item in the restaurant. This is one of the item which you usually find in any Indian restaurant, whether it is small or bigger. Furthermore, this dish will be in the top of the menu list in any restaurant.

What is paneer tikka masala?

For some may sound delicious and mouth watering. And for some it may sound strange. Wikipedia throws little light over it and says ”an Indian dish made from chunks of paneer marinated in spices”. In a broader sense, Paneer tikka masala is the cottage cheese cooked in spicy gravy.

•  Paneer - an Indian version of cottage cheese.
• Tikka - small pieces of vegetables are made which all marinated in spicy mixture
• Masala - means your gravy made with spices Eldridge gravy made with spices.

To put it together paneer tikka masala means cottage cheese chunk marinated in a spicy mixture and then attitude gravy gravy let's see how it's made.

What is paneer and how to make?

We make paneer from fresh milk. To make paneer at home, boil milk allows them to cuddle by adding vinegar. Drain the whey water by hanging in a cheesecloth. And then cut them into small cubes.

Alternative you may also use the store-bought, which is also equally good and delicious. And Reduces the cooking time into half.

Where to buy paneer cheese paneer cheese?

So far I guess what is paneer tikka masala is all about. Ready to make at home now?

Start building your shopping list for making this dish at home. First, Paneer cheese can be purchased in any of your nearby Indian stores and half a pound of paneer maybe cast costing anywhere between $3 to $6 depending upon your area. And there are many other online stores selling paneer. I also seen a couple of couple of leading stores that carry paneer. Unfortunately my local store does not carry paneer.

How to marinate paneer?

There are many variations available for marinations. There are three types of ingredients needed for marination

• Tenderrizer: Yogurt / curd, lemon juice.
• For heat: chili powder.
• For flavoring: coriander powder, cumin powder, crushed kasuri methi, chat masala, crushed pepper and many more

It can be marinated with these ingredients and you may also include other ingredients according to the preference.

How long Paneer can be Marinated?

Paneer does not need huge marinating time. To get perfect tikka it can be anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes. This marination can be made ahead before the day and should definitely refrigerated. Please bear in mind that paneer is made from fresh milk. So it has to be refrigerated all the time and take it out just few minutes before cooking.

How to cook paneer Tikka?

Paneer tikka can be cooked on stove top, Can be grilled, Can be baked. But authentically made in Tandoor oven, which is made of clay . which has the cooking temperature of more than 500 degrees fahrenheit.
Where as our regular hormones but we can make Tandoori Tikka even without thunder and the same will get the same delicious.com how to make paneer Tikka in oven

How to store paneer?

Paneer can be stored by freezing, or refrigerating only. And leaving them in the kitchen counter in the room temperature and definitely a big No-No. I always prefer to store them in the refrigeration, as it is ready to use anytime. And it is good to store for about 1 to 2 weeks in the first shelf of the refrigerator. Please make a note that the paneer is made from fresh milk, we have to follow the same method for storing milk.

How to serve Paneer tikka?

Paneer tikka can be served in two ways. As appetizer or as side dish. While serving I would personally suggest to sprinkle some chat masala and drizzle lemon juice. This would elevates the taste and flavor. Mint chutney or coriander chutney would be the perfect condiments.

What is Paneer tikka masala?

A spicy gravy made with paneer tikka. The same tikka can be used to make paneer tikka masala. Rice, naan bread would be the perfect choice to be served with paneer tikka masala.

Other recipes you may like,

• Onion pakoda
• Gobi Manchurian
• Stuffed bhindi recipe
• Radish sambar
• Chettinad paneer
• Side dishes from India

Paneer tikka masala or paneer butter masala?

They may sound similar but they cooked with different spices and ingredients. In paneer tikka masala, paneer will be cook with spices before adding to the gravy. Paneer butter masala may not need to get cooked with spices before adding to the recipe. I would say paneer tikka masala would spicier when compared with paneer butter masala.

So, now you have learnt What is paneer tikka masala and its required ingredients.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikka_(food)