GRILLED PANEER OR TOFU TIKKA WITH MINT & CILANTRO SAUCE

Grilling isn’t limited to meat and seafood lovers. If you are a vegetarian and want to grill or is someone who wants to eat healthier, here is a recipe for you. I made this on a warm summer night. It’s a quick and easy marinade and very fast on the grill.

Paneer is a firm cottage cheese sold in rectangular packets at any Indian grocery stores (see the picture in the video), however if you don’t have access to an Indian grocery close by, a firm tofu will also work very well.

Also feel free to use the same marinade on other vegetables for grilling.

Ingredients:

1 lb firm Paneer or Tofu, cut into 1” squares

For the marinade:

1 cup Greek style plain yogurt (even less is fine)

1 tsp curry (Indian) powder 

1 tsp chilli powder (or paprika for less spicy)

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (juice of about ½ a lemon)

1 tsp grated or chopped ginger

1 tsp grated or chopped garlic

2 tbsp oil (I used Mustard for its distinct flavor, but any oil will do)

1 tsp kosher salt

Other:

8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes

2-3 bell peppers, cut into 1-2” pieces (choose different colors to make it pop with color)

1 red or white onion, cut into 1” pieces

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp kosher salt 

½ tsp fresh ground pepper

Method:

Mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl.

Add the paneer or tofu pieces, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Place the chopped vegetables (peppers and onions) in a bowl, add the lemon juice, salt and pepper and toss to coat.

Grilling/Cooking:

When you are ready to cook, turn the grill to high (450 – 500*F).

I use a little rectangular stand (available at all big box stores) and place the skewers on them, so that I don’t have to worry about them getting stuck on the grill, and it also makes it very easy to rotate the skewers.

(If you don’t have one, 2 metal pipes or bricks will do the job too.)

Thread the skewers with the marinated paneer/tofu and alternate with the vegetables and onions.

Grill covered for 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred and browned (total 5-6 minutes).

Before serving, drizzle with a little mint/cilantro chutney (recipe to follow), and serve it on the side as a condiment.

Note: If you don’t have a grill, don’t worry, use an oven or toaster oven and follow the same instructions.

Pairs well with a sweeter white wine like a Riesling.