Paneer tikka is grilled chunks of cottage cheese. So Paneer Tikka Masala literally translates to grilled paneer cubes in a spicy masala sauce. It so happened that I had marinated a huge lot of Paneer and vegetables for Paneer Tikka as I had guests at home. For some reason, all my guests didn’t turn up. After enjoying the Paneer Tikka that evening, I still had a lot of marinated paneer left.
In the past, I have been trying to make Paneer Tikka Masala, but however hard I tried, I could not save the grilled cubes of paneer from my family. We all ended up eating the tikkas as snacks. So this time we all had enjoyed the tikkas the previous evening, it was not very difficult for me to save it for making Paneer Tikka Masala.
This restaurant-style Paneer Tikka Masala is a rich gravy dish which is made by simmering paneer tikka in a spicy onion tomato based gravy. Pair this yummy curry with Garlic Naan, Reshmi Paratha, or Tandoori Roti for a hearty fulfilling meal.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment and don’t forget to tag your photo with #theblissofcooking on Instagram. You may like to try our other similar recipes like Paneer Jhalfrezi and Paneer Lababdar.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes
Ingredients for Paneer Tikka Masala
For the paste
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon cumin
2 cloves
2 cardamoms
1-inch cinnamon
1 mace
2 dry red chillies
1 teaspoon chopped ginger
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 sliced onion
6 to 8 cashews
1 tomato chopped
½ cup water
For the gravy
1 tablespoon ghee
1 onion chopped fine
1 tablespoon garlic paste
½ cup tomato puree
1 green chilli slit
2 whole dried red chilli
1 tablespoon ginger julienned
1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon kasuri methi
1 teaspoon honey
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon cream
2 tablespoon yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped coriander
Directions for Restaurant style Paneer Tikka Masala
Follow the recipe of Paneer tikka, prepare similarly and set aside.
For the paste
- Heat a pan; add oil, jeera and all the whole spices. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add onion, ginger, garlic, cashew and saute till translucent.
- Add tomatoes and cook till mushy. If required add 2 tablespoon water.
- Switch off the flame and grind to a smooth paste when it is at room temperature.
Here is the complete Video on Making of Restaurent Style Paneer Tikka Masala with an assumption that you already have made Paneer Tikka
For the Gravy
- Heat ghee in the same pan; add onions, green chilli slit, garlic paste and saute till golden.
- Now add 2 whole dry red chilli, kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and kasuri methi
- Now add the green chilli, ginger juliennes, kashmiri red chilli, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, kasuri methi and honey. Saute till all the spices are well combined.
- Add tomato puree and saute till oil starts to leave the sides.
- Now add the grinded smooth paste.
- Add chopped coriander, honey, yoghurt, cream and saute for a minute.
- Add a little water to make a consistent gravy.
- Add salt to taste.
- Now add the paneer tikka and the vegetables and cook for two minutes.
- Garnish with coriander.
- Enjoy with tandoori roti or naan!
