PANEER TIKKA IN OVEN

      I have made this few times now in oven and sometimes I make in tawa too.. I got this recipe from a cookery show in Discovery Travel and Living.. Its sounded very simple yet very delicious paneer tikkas. The spiciness level of this recipe is mild. Perfect to make for a party as starter,oven method makes it simple,when you make in bulk and also the pre-preparation can be very well done and kept in advance for this recipe..The chef in the show added only yellow chilli powder(yes,you heard it right,its yellow!!),black pepper and ajwain along with cream. But I have just added few more according to my taste..

Ingredients:

Paneer	200 gms
Sour cream or hung curd	2 – 3 tblsp
Red chilli powder	1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder	1/8 tsp
Chat masala	1/2 tsp
Crushed black pepper	1/2 – 1 tsp
Tandoori masala powder(optional)	1/2 – 1 tsp
Lemon juice	from 1/2 of a lemon
Ajwain/omam	1 tsp
Salt and oil	As needed

Capsicum(I used all the 3 colours),cubed	3/4 cup
Onion ,cubed	1 no.
Tomato (optional)	1 no.(deseed,cube)
Skewers	as needed

Method:

1. Thaw the paneer and cut them into bite size pieces. Don’t cut the cubes too big as the marination won’t get infused inside the paneer.
2.   
3. Mix the sour cream,all the powders ,lemon juice,salt ,ajwain and a tblsp of oil to marinate the paneer pieces.

4. Marinate the paneer pieces,make sure you coat each and every piece,keep refrigerated atleast for 2 hours.

5. When you are ready to make,grease the skewers and a grill/pan. Pre heat the oven to 250^o C. (my oven has only 230^o C as maximum,so you can bake at 230^o C too,the outcome was gud)
6. Arrange the paneer,capsicum and tomato in the skewers as shown in the picture. Brush them generously with oil.Update: Soak the wooden skewers in water for atleast one hour before baking,which prevents burning of the skewers..Thanks friends for the suggestions :)

7. Bake them for 13-15 minutes or until the edges of paneer starts browning.
8. After done,again brush them with oil and serve hot with green chutney and sprinkle some chaat masala and lemon juice over the paneer tikka and enjoy!

USING THE GRILL OPTION IN OVEN

In case you have grill option in oven,you need not set the temperature. Just choose the grill option and start the oven, with the grilling pan/pan inside it,it will start preheating and once done it will give a beep,then arrange the paneer in the pan and just set the time for 13-15 minutes. Your paneer tikka is ready.

USING MICROWAVE/GRILL COMBINATION OPTION IN THE OVEN

If you are using this option,you need to be careful with the vessel you use for baking,you have to use only the vessel/tray meant for it. You cannot use aluminium foil as its combination mode of microwave too. So choose the tray and choose the right option. My oven has 4 options in this combination mode, to choose for different kind/types of food. So you have to check yours for what has to be chosen. I have not personally tried this option still. In this option also the oven has its default setting for temperature. So just have to set the time.
And if you don't have oven and want to try the tawa method,refer my friend Jeyashri’s post here. This method is recommended if you make in small quantity. Tastes great too!

Technorati Tags: Paneer Tikka in oven,paneer tikka,panner dishes,Indian starter recipes

Notes:

Using metal skewer is recommended,as I used wooden skewers,it got burnt though not totally,it just turned black,otherwise no complains about it. Just bake till the panner starts browning in the edges. If you over bake the paneer will turn rubbery. If you have paneer tikka masala powder,just mix it with curd and omit the powders,also note that it has salt in it too.. For hung curd just hang 1/4 cup of curd in muslin cloth for an hour. You can follow the same recipe and make it tawa too..