I happen to love paneer (non melting, unaged, farmer’s cheese).
Growing up, I don’t remember mom cooking much paneer (cheese). It was something that we ate at restaurants.
As a South Indian our diet mostly consisted of rice, lentils, vegetables, and chicken. Paneer/cheese was considered ‘North Indian food’. So when we wanted to eat, we would go out to a restaurant for a treat, and what a nice treat it was.
As my cooking repertoire expanded, I started experimenting everything at home. I sometimes make my own paneer(quite simple) especially when it is for curries. I make paneer almost every week now; my boys can’t get enough of it. When I have to make these for a crowd , I buy it, as it is firmer than the home made ones and much easier.
These paneer skewers are easy to make. They make great appetizers for parties with your favorite dip, use sriracha to climb the roof or the yogurt mint sauce to calm your senses. Just add them to a smooth tomato sauce, and you have a great gravy. They served as a light lunch for my girlfriends and me.
Hope you get to make it sometime. Have a great weekend my friends!
Ingredients:
For the Paneer:
14 oz firm paneer cubed to 1″pieces
yellow bell pepper cut to 1″ pieces
1/2 cucumber sliced
jalapeno pepper sliced(optional)
Marinade:
2 tbsp chickpea flour
2 tbsp cup thick full fat yogurt
2 tsp red chili powder(deggi mirch)
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp jeera/cumin powder
1/2 tsp chaat masala
1 tsp dried meethi leaves crushed
1 tsp salt or accordingly
2 tbsp white seasame seeds(optional)
4 tbsp oil for pan frying
For the Yogurt Mint Sauce:
1/2 cup non fat yogurt
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp chopped mint
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp white pepper powder
1/2 tsp salt
Method:
1. In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt with all other ingredients for the marinade very well.
2. Add the paneer cubes to the marinade and let it sit for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. In a large flat saute pan add oil and carefully take off the extra marinade, coat it with some sesame seeds and pan fry the paneer pieces. Cook on both sides. We have chickpea flour in it, so it will form a nice coating and fry up quite well. You could alternatively skewer everything and then pan fry too. But, you will lose the crispy coating that it forms when it is pan fried separately.
4. Once everything is fried up, you can dress it up by putting it on a skewer with bell pepper, cucumber and jalapenos or just serve as is.
5. Whip all the ingredients for the yogurt mint sauce well and refrigerate until you serve.
Serve the skewers on top of a salad, rice, or as an appetizer with the sauce. The yogurt mint sauce works really well as a dressing too.
Enjoy!
NOTE: The chili powder I’ve used can be found in Indian grocery stores and the color the paneer has,comes from this powder. But you don’t have to use that, you can use any chili powder and vary the amount you use too.
Home Made Paneer- Check this Link Here.
I feel like grabbing a stick.
I love paneer, I even made it a couple of times (I know, it’s not that complicated) AND I love Tikka marinade/paste.
Hence: I am SOOOOO making this!
Love paneer tikka
Wow! Your photos are absolutely stunning! Can’t wait to try this!
Its the same at home too mom never cooked paneer at home. These pics look wonderful and so fresh 🙂
Mouthwatering and colorful!
Cheers,
Rosa
save a skewer for me please! 🙂 i love paneer. and i love the use of jalapeno pepper slices with it, i bet thats really delicious! have a fantastic weekend lovely!
Wat a breath taking clicks, just cant take my eyes from ur tikka.
Amazing. I love fresh jalapeño and hate seeing it pickled everywhere in restaurants. Is that too much to ask?
Intrigued by your mint sauce, I have the urge to try it and it is not even 9 AM yet. 🙂
I wanna be one og your girlfriends and have one of these skewers with you!
Asha these pictures are GORGEOUS!!!! And what a great idea to make this paneer tikka – I have had chicken tikka but never paneer tikka!
I want that right now Asha.Such a perfectly done tikka.Yeah Paneer is considered North Indian here 🙂
It all looks soo vibrant!!! and I like the idea of introducing sesame seeds.. never thought of it earlier!!
I wanna grab that bowl for lunch… looks yummy… love those skewers…they look so cute
Shema | LifeScoops
Oh, thank you so much guys. These were quite colorful and quite simple.
@Tara- you are so right..love pickles but I like it simple and fresh sometimes too.
Mouthwatering, colourful, fantastic. Would love to grab one stick.
You are gifted with the sexiest ability to blend-combine-contrust color on the dinner table 🙂
You are one hell of a food fashionista…. the most glamorous one 🙂
Love.
Beautiful vibrant colors! Have a great weekend!
Divine! And I love that you serve the tikka atop a huge green salad. SO healthy 🙂
Chickpea flour is a first! Paneer was a restaurant food for us maharashtrians too until I married a punjabi! Now there is way too much paneer cooking at home!
I just love your stunning pic! Love the jalapeños. You are super talented with that camera. I could just stare at the pics for a long time.
Over here, its more of tofu than paneer. Yet is a beautiful way of pairing, in the skewers and with much loved mint sauce.
Gorgeous photography and lovely recipe, Asha! Your blog has reached a new level with the vertical images and terrific close-ups. I am totally enamored. Thanks so much for sharing!
I am such a HUGE fan of paneer and only wish I had grown up eating it! But I can assure you that I have made up for lost time. Love these paneer tikka kebabs!!
Asha, these skewers are so beautiful. I love reading your blog and you’re inspiring me to start making Indian food at home. Thanks for all your unique recipes!
I’ve only really tried paneer in curries but I can imagine how good it is on a skewer like this! Lovely colours too 😀
You are right, paneer still alien in my house, hubby will run from the seen. Daughter is not found.Only me and my boy.
I am not familiar with paneer, and now I am TOTALLY curious. These skewers are beautiful, and as you say, perfect for parties. Thanks for the introduction.
I love paneer Tikka!! As usual lovely clicks… I love to visit your blog… 🙂
Simple farmers cheese in any culture is delicious, though I’ve never attempted to make my own. GREG
What a gorgeous shade of red! It looks so perfect. I will try this at a potluck!
Lovely photos and delicious looking dish, Ash! I’ve never had this, but it looks like something I would really enjoy!
What pretty and mouthwatering paneer skewers! As always, your photos are amazing!
These are so fabulously colourful and delightful! Love the simplicity and fresh flavours, and the photos are gorgeous!
Nazneen
Such pretty skewers & beautiful colors. I’ve always wanted to try to make Paneer — and now I’m really inspired. 🙂
Look at all that beautiful color, what a pretty dish!
Lovely skewer! Paneer is such good stuff – I love its flavor. And you’ve done it up right. Good stuff- thanks.
I’ve never had paneer, but love cheeses and very interested in trying it. You made your own paneer (I may have to try this)? Luv the skewers – so beautiful and vibrant, Ash!
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Thank you all so much..
@Christina-home made is so easy and much softer to the store bought ones..but for this one I did buy from the store, as it holds a bit well and keep the shape..
I will add a link to home made paneer page..
Yum!! What a delicious and healthy looking dish. I would love to try it.
Such gorgeous images too 🙂
oh wow !! for a moment,i couldnt take my eyes off that picture , the first one..so..tempting picks and such crispy clear click !!! beautiful dear !
Do drop by Pick Quicks too when you get the time. Hope you will be a follower there as well. Lets keep connected beyond the kitchen as well.rgds….
OMG the paneer looks gorgeous, beautifully made dear, love it…
Your skewers are so beautiful – I’ve never tried making paneer from scratch but I’m sure it must taste fantastic.
Being a Punjabi, loving a paneer tikka is something that comes naturally 😉
Paneer is a weekly feature in our diet in some form or the other.
Loved the first shot of your paneer tikka.
lovely and delicious paneer tikka…
I am a fond fan of paneer…These paneer skewers are very inviting.I so wish I could have them now.
Not only does that sound like an incredible dish but those are some of the prettiest food photos I’ve seen in a long time! Nice job 🙂
This truly looks sensational. I love all of the colors. Your pictures are always spectacular. I have yet to buy paneer and make myself a recipe with it. I have one on my list, Paneer tikka massala, that I have been wanting to make after visiting an amazing Indian restaurant here in NJ. I need to go to the Indian market and get some. I wonder if I could freeze it because I would love to get more than just one pack 🙂
@Denise, I wish I could have you over for dinner now..
@Alyssa, thank you, that is such a sweet compliment.
@Miriam- thanks my dear. Paneer is so easy to make too, but I’d suggest getting fresh..they just don’t freeze that well. Oh, yum, paneer tikka sounds good, craving that now.
Indeed these skewers are perfect for a party or a buffet!
What a colorful paneer tikka. Lovely pictures.
The most gorgeous paneer tikka I have ever seen . I fell in love with those skewers 🙂
These pics are so awesome. the tikka looks like a perfect party starter.
I’m totally loving your moody shots. Beautiful. The color just pops up! Love the yogurt mint sauce <3
Absolutely Gorgeous! Love the vibrant and happy colors and looks super delicious!!!
@What nice thoughtful comments. thanks
@Indu-yes a perfect party starter.
@Nami-the yogurt mint sauce is simple and fresh..thanks so much xx
@Asmita-thanks girl.
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