Tillie Doyle
Paneer tikka is a popular Punjabi snack or starter made with paneer cubes marinated in spiced yogurt, arranged on skewers, and grilled in an oven or tandoor. It is known for its juicy, spicy, and smoky flavour. While traditionally prepared in a tandoor or oven, it is possible to make paneer tikka in a microwave, specifically a convection microwave oven with a grill function. This method offers convenience and eliminates the need for constant monitoring, resulting in a tasty and healthy dish that can be easily prepared at home.
Can we make Paneer Tikka in a microwave?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of microwave | Convection microwave |
| Mode | Grill mode or convection mode |
| Temperature | 200°C |
| Marination | 20-30 minutes to a few hours |
| Preheat | Yes |
| Time | 4 minutes to 20 minutes |
| Result | Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ingredients
To make paneer tikka in the microwave, you will need the following ingredients:
- Paneer
- Yogurt
- Vegetables of your choice (commonly used options include onions, capsicum, and tomatoes)
- Spices (such as ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin-corinader powder, garam masala powder, chaat masala powder, and lemon juice)
- Oil or ghee for brushing
- Bamboo skewers
- Aluminium foil or parchment paper
Before you begin, ensure that you have a microwave with a convection mode or grill function, as paneer tikka cannot be made in a solo microwave oven.
Start by preparing the marinade. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt with the spices. You can adjust the spice quantities to your taste preferences. It is recommended to use hung curd or chakka dahi, which can be prepared by tying fresh curd in a muslin cloth and draining the excess water. If using regular yogurt, you may need to drain the excess water before mixing it with the spices.
Once the marinade is ready, add the vegetables and paneer cubes to the bowl. Toss and coat the pieces well with the marinade. It is important to ensure that all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Leave the mixture to marinate for at least 30 minutes to a few hours. The longer it sits, the more intense the flavours will be.
While the ingredients are marinating, you can prepare the bamboo skewers by soaking them in water for about 30 minutes. This step helps prevent the skewers from burning during the cooking process.
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Marinating the paneer
Prepare the Marinade
Start by preparing the marinade, which typically includes a base of thick yoghurt or curd (preferably Greek yoghurt) and a blend of spices. If using regular yoghurt, strain it for several hours to achieve the desired thickness. For the spices, you can use ginger-garlic paste, mustard oil, coriander powder, chaat masala, Kashmiri red chilli powder, garam masala, red chilli powder, kasuri methi, and salt. Mix these ingredients well in a large bowl until you have a smooth, thick marinade. Taste the marinade and adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.
Add Vegetables
Next, add your choice of vegetables to the marinade. Commonly used vegetables include onions, bell peppers or capsicum, and tomatoes. You can also experiment with other vegetables like baby corn, mushrooms, cauliflower, or broccoli. Ensure that the vegetables are diced or sliced into similar sizes for even cooking.
Coat the Paneer Cubes
Now, it's time to add the star ingredient—the paneer! Gently add 200-300 grams of paneer cubes to the marinade, being careful not to break them. Coat the paneer cubes well with the marinade, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly covered. You can use your hands or a spoon to gently toss and combine the ingredients.
Rest and Infuse Flavours
Once everything is well coated, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the marinade to work its magic by resting the paneer and veggies for at least 30 minutes to an hour. The longer you can leave it, the more intense the flavours will be. However, avoid marinating for too long, as this can cause the paneer to break when skewered.
Skewer the Ingredients
After the marination is complete, remove the paneer and veggies from the refrigerator. Take a skewer and carefully thread the paneer cubes, alternating with the vegetables. Create a beautiful display of colours and flavours on each skewer. Repeat this process until all the skewers are prepared.
Pre-Heat the Oven
While you prepare the skewers, remember to pre-heat your oven. Set the temperature to around 220°C to 240°C, and allow it to heat up for at least 15-20 minutes before cooking. This ensures consistent cooking and the perfect charring of your paneer tikka.
By following these steps, you'll have perfectly marinated paneer cubes ready for grilling or baking. The marination process is a key contributor to the overall taste and texture of paneer tikka, so take your time and enjoy the process of crafting this delicious Indian appetiser.
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Skewering the paneer
Firstly, prepare your ingredients. You will need paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese, as well as vegetables such as onions, capsicum, and tomatoes. It is recommended to use the best quality of paneer for the best results. Cut the paneer and vegetables into evenly sized cubes or pieces.
Next, prepare a marinade. A traditional marinade for paneer tikka is made with spiced yoghurt, which gives the dish a unique tandoori flavour. Mix the spices and yoghurt in a bowl, and then add the paneer and vegetable pieces. Ensure that all the pieces are well-coated by tossing them gently in the marinade. It is important to marinate the paneer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3-4 hours, to allow the flavours to infuse.
Now it's time to assemble the skewers. If you are using bamboo skewers, it is recommended to soak them in water for about 30 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning. Thread the marinated paneer and vegetable pieces onto the skewers, alternating between the two. Leave a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking.
Once your skewers are assembled, you are ready to cook your paneer tikka in the microwave. Place the skewers on a tray lined with aluminium foil or parchment paper. If using a convection microwave, preheat it to 200 degrees Celsius and use the grill mode for the best results. Place the tray on the top rack and grill for 7-10 minutes. Then, remove the tray, turn the skewers, and grill for another 3-5 minutes until the paneer and vegetables are slightly charred and cooked to your liking.
And that's it! You now have perfectly skewered and cooked paneer tikka, ready to be served as a delicious starter or snack. Enjoy the juicy, spicy, and smoky flavours of this popular Indian dish.
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Preheating the microwave
Preheating your microwave is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your microwave:
Firstly, refer to your microwave's user manual for specific instructions on preheating. Each microwave may have unique features or requirements, so consulting the manual is essential. Some microwaves may even have an automatic temperature adjustment feature, so it is worth checking if your microwave can do the work for you.
If your microwave does not have an automatic feature, you will need to set the temperature manually. Most recipes will specify the required temperature, so set your microwave to that temperature, bearing in mind that convection microwaves cook food faster than traditional ovens. Therefore, it is recommended to set the temperature 25°F (14°C) lower than the recipe suggests.
Next, place the short rack inside the microwave, along with an oven thermometer. Put the microwave in convection mode. Press the “Start” button, and the microwave should begin heating up. The display should indicate that it is “Preheating” or something similar.
Your microwave will usually take about 5 minutes to preheat. Once the internal temperature matches your desired setting, the microwave will typically beep or ding to notify you that it is preheated. Some models may also display the temperature on a panel and/or have an indicator light.
It is important to note that if you do not put food in the microwave promptly after preheating, the microwave may automatically switch off after 20-30 minutes. If this happens, you will need to preheat the microwave again.
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Grilling the paneer
Firstly, it is essential to use a convection microwave for grilling paneer tikka. Preheat your microwave to 200 degrees Celsius in convection mode. If your microwave has a grill mode, select that, as it tends to yield better results. If not, don't worry; you can still bake the paneer tikka in convection mode.
Prepare the marinade by mixing all the spices and yogurt in a large bowl. Ensure the marinade is smooth and well combined. Then, add the paneer cubes and vegetables to the bowl and gently toss them until they are evenly coated with the marinade. It is crucial to marinate the paneer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. For more intense flavours, you can marinate for up to 3-4 hours.
Once the paneer is marinated, it's time to assemble the skewers. If using bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water for about 30 minutes beforehand. Thread the marinated paneer cubes and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between them. You can also add ingredients like onions, capsicum, and tomatoes for added flavour and colour.
Place the assembled skewers on a rack or tray lined with aluminium foil or parchment paper. Position the rack on the higher or upper rack setting in your microwave. If using a grill rack, place it on the third rack positioning.
Now, it's time to grill the paneer tikka. Place the tray inside the preheated microwave and grill for about 7 to 10 minutes. Then, remove the tray and carefully turn the skewers. Place them back in the microwave and continue grilling until the paneer and veggies develop a golden colour or slight charring. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the paneer tikka to ensure it doesn't overcook and become hard.
Finally, remove the grilled paneer tikka from the microwave and sprinkle with chopped coriander, chaat masala, or squeeze some lemon or lime juice over them. Serve immediately with sliced onions or onion rings and green chutney on the side. Enjoy the delicious, juicy, and flavourful paneer tikka!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make paneer tikka in a microwave. However, it needs to be a convection microwave, and you should not use the microwave mode.
First, marinate the paneer cubes in a spiced yoghurt-based marinade for 20 minutes to a few hours. Then, thread the marinated paneer onto skewers, alternating with vegetables such as onions, capsicum and tomatoes. Place the skewers on a tray and put them in the microwave. Use the grill mode and select a high power. Consult your microwave manual for the correct timing.
Preheat your microwave to 200 degrees Celsius in convection mode. Then, cook the paneer tikka at a high power setting until some charred/brown spots appear. This should take around 15-17 minutes.
Paneer tikka can be served as a starter or a snack with green chutney, sliced onion rings and lemon juice. You can also use any leftover tandoori paneer to make paneer tikka masala, a popular curry-based dish.
