Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cut into cubes
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil or ghee
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnishing

For the Marinade:

1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt.
2. Add paneer cubes to the marinade and coat them well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (you can refrigerate it for a few hours for more flavor).

Instructions:

1. Heat oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
2. Add the marinated paneer cubes (reserve the marinade) to the pan. Cook until the paneer gets lightly browned on all sides. Remove the paneer cubes from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add diced bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes until they are slightly tender.
4. Add the tomato puree to the pan along with the reserved marinade. Cook until the mixture thickens and the oil starts to separate from the masala.
5. Add the cooked paneer cubes back to the pan. Stir gently to coat the paneer with the masala.
6. Simmer for 5-7 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together. If the gravy is too thick, you can add a little water to adjust the consistency.
7. Taste and adjust salt and spices according to your preference.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed rice.

This Paneer Tikka Masala recipe is sure to be a hit with its rich and flavorful tomato-based gravy coating the tender paneer cubes.