TIRANGA PANEER TIKKA (TRI COLOURED COTTAGE CHEESE TIKKAS)

Tiranga Paneer Tikka, is a combination of three different and most popular varieties of tikkas. Tikka is a delicious, roasted starter dish made using paneer, coated in absolutely flavourful marinades.

Tikkas originated in Punjab, but today are loved, available and prepared throughout India and abroad too! The preparation is quite easy and uses some simple ingredients which are generally available in the pantry. Soft cottage cheese when marinated in these delicious spices with hung curd and roasted in a tandoor or a pan, create magic on one’s palate!

Tiranga Paneer Tikka, is a dish fit for parties, celebrations or just to satisfy your cravings for something delicious but simple. It is a great option for our Independence Day celebration too, as the tiranga tikkas almost resemble the colours of our National pride…. The Tiranga!

For more such delicious dishes, do go through the following recipes too……

1. Kobiche Bhanole

2. Mutton Chops

3. Crispy Garlic Butter Prawns

4. Prawn Cutlets

Here’s the recipe for Tiranga Paneer Tikka….

Prep Time : 35 min

Cooking Time : 30 min

Serves : 4-5

INGREDIENTS :

• 1 Large Green Capsicum …. Cubed
• 2-3 Tomatoes ….Deseeded and Cubed
• 2 Medium Onions …. Cubed
• Oil as required to roast the tikkas
• Butter as required to roast the tikkas

(I) For The Classic Paneer Tikka (Red):

• 200 gm Paneer… Cubed
• 1 1/2 tbs Hung Curd
• 1 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1/2 tsp Bedgi Red Chilli Powder
• 3/4 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Punjabi Garam Masala Powder (or Garam Masala Powder)
• 1 tsp Corriander Powder
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
• 1/2 tsp Kasuri Methi…. Powdered
• 3/4 tbs Roasted Gram Flour
• Salt to taste

(II) For The Hariyali (Pahadi) Tikka (Green) :

• 200 gm Paneer…. Cubed
• 1 tbs Hung Curd
• 1 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup Mint Leaves
• 1/2 cup Corriander Leaves
• 2 Green Chillies
• 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1 tsp Punjabi Garam Masala Powder (or Garam Masala Powder)
• 1/2 tsp Kasuri Methi…. Powdered
• 3/4 tbs Roasted Gram Flour
• Salt to taste

(III) For The Malai Tikka (White) :

• 200 gm Paneer
• 1 1/2 tbs Hung Curd
• 1 1/2 tbs Malai (Fresh Cream)
• 1 1/2 tbs Cashewnut Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1/4 tsp Black/White Pepper Powder
• 3/4 tsp Punjabi Garam Masala Powder (or Garam Masala Powder)
• 1/2 tsp Kasuri Methi…. Powdered
• 3/4 tbs Roasted Gram Flour
• Salt to taste

For The Tri Coloured Salad :

{A} Red Salad :

• 1/3 cup Juliened mixed vegetables (Onions, Carrots, Capsicum, Cabbage)
• Red Chilli Powder… To be adjusted
• Chaat masala… To be adjusted
• Salt to taste
• Lemon juice as desired

{B} Green Salad :

• 1/3 cup Juliened mixed vegetables (Onions, Carrots, Capsicum, Cabbage)
• 2 tsp Green Corriander Mint Chutney
• Chaat masala as desired
• Salt to taste

{C} White Salad :

• 1/3 cup Juliened Mixed Vegetables (Onions, Carrots, Capsicum, Cabbage)
• 3 tsp Fresh Curd
• 1/8 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
• Chaat Masala as desired
• Salt to taste

METHOD :

1. To make Tiranga Paneer Tikka, lightly roast the mentioned quantity of gram flour for each type of tikka and set aside to cool.
2. Lightly roast the kasuri methi and crush it to get a powder.
3. Grind together the corriander leaves, mint leaves and green chillies for the green paste.
4. Take three separate mixing bowls and add to it the respective ingredients mentioned for each different type of tikka.
5. Mix well to prepare the individual marinades, i.e. red, green and white marinade.
6. Cut the paneer, capsicum, onions and deseeded tomatoes into medium sized cubes and add them to their respective bowls.
7. Mix well to as to coat the paneer and vegetables cubes well, with the prepared marinade.
8. Immerse the required wooden skewers in clean water for about 5-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
9. To make the respective paneer tikkas, start by fixing a capsicum cube in a skewer, followed by paneer, onion cube, again paneer, a tomato cube, paneer and a capsicum cube again in the end.
10. Heat a grill pan and add some oil and butter to it.
11. When it heats up, place the skewers on it and roast on all sides till slightly charred.
12. Transfer the prepared tikkas to a dish.
13. In separate bowls, mix together the respective salad ingredients.
14. Serve the delicious Tiranga Paneer Tikkas alongwith some tri coloured salad by the side!