Name: Jain Paneer Tikka Masala
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 125 g Paneer, cut into cubes; ½ Green Bell Pepper, cut into cubes; 2 Tomato, pureed; ¼ cup Indian-Style Yogurt, thick, for marinade; 1 Green Chili Pepper, slit; 1 tsp Kashmiri Chili Powder, for bright color; ¾ tsp Ground Coriander; ¼ tsp Ground Turmeric; ½ tsp Garam Masala; ½ tsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves, crushed; 1 tbsp Melon Seeds, magaz, soaked and ground to paste; 1 tbsp Butter; 1 tbsp Cooking Oil; ½ tsp Salt, to taste

1 hrtotal

45 min hands-on15 min hands-off

Prep 20 min · Cook 25 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Medium
Spice: Spicy

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Method

In a mixing bowl, blend the thick curd, a portion of the Kashmiri chilli powder, a pinch of turmeric, salt, and a dash of oil to form the marinade.
Toss the paneer and capsicum cubes into the marinade. Ensure an even coat and set aside to rest for 15 minutes.
15 min
Heat a tawa or shallow pan. Pan-fry the marinated paneer and capsicum on high heat until they develop distinct, light charred marks. Remove and set aside.
In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the butter and the remaining cooking oil.
Toss in the slit green chillies, sautéing briefly to extract their heat into the fat.
Pour in the tomato puree. Cook down intensely until the mixture reduces and visible fat separates from the edges.
Fold in the remaining Kashmiri chilli powder, coriander powder, and turmeric. Stir comprehensively.
Stir in the melon seed (magaz) paste. Cook this mixture for 3-4 minutes to construct a deeply rich and nutty base.
3–4 min
Pour in water and adjust the salt. Bring the gravy to a rolling boil.
Gently fold the pan-fried paneer and capsicum into the gravy, simmering gracefully for 3-4 minutes.
3–4 min
Crush kasuri methi vigorously between your palms and scatter it over the dish along with the garam masala.
Stir the curry gently, immediately turn off the heat, and serve.

How to tell it's done

A thick, velvety, and vibrant orange masala coating charred paneer and crunchy capsicum.

Getting it right

Tip

Melon seeds (magaz) act as the structural substitute for onions here, granting the curry its creamy, luxurious body. Cashew paste is an excellent alternative.

What to serve it with

Phenomenal when paired with crisp Tandoori Roti or soft Butter Naan.

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