Paneer Tikka with Gravy and Naan

Paneer tikka is a delicious and a common appetizer. Usually it is made with a tandoori or a red marinade. Since I make most of my curries with tomato / red masala of some kind, the green marinade is a tasty alternative. The coriander gives it a freshness makes the dish a little light. I got the idea of making it a dinner entree from a local restaurant which serves tikka in a naan wrap, with red gravy as a dipping sauce, an item we order every time we go there. Mine is a deconstructed version. The portion below is for two for dinner.

Ingredients:

400 grams, 14 oz or 8 - 10 pieces of paneer approx 1 inch in size

1/2 green pepper (capsicum)

1 tomato 

1/2 onion 

1/2 tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)

Naan 

For the marinade:

1 1/3 cup or 300 grams thick yogurt (drain regular curd on cheesecloth)

1/2 cup of washed coriander leaves

5-6 leaves of mint (optional)

3-4 green chilies

1/2 inch knob of ginger

1/2 medium onion

2-3 cloves garlic

1/2 teaspoon Garam masala

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon oil

Salt

Take all the ingredients of the marinade except the yogurt and grind them in a paste. Mix with the yogurt. Keep aside a half cup. Deseed the tomato and the pepper. Cut the onion, peppers and tomato into 1 inch pieces. Mix the paneer and vegetables with the marinade and keep for about 1-2 hours. Soak the skewers in water for about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Wipe and skewer the vegetable and paneer, alternating paneer and veges. Bake on a foil covered baking sheet for about 20-30 minutes, till the paneer edges start to brown.

For the gravy, heat the oil and add the jeera. When it starts to splutter, add the marinade kept aside and any leftover marinade from the vegetable mix stirring continuously on low heat. Add about 3/4 cup of water and bring to a boil.

To serve, place one skewer in a plate, put pieces of the naan and the gravy in a small bowl as individual dipping sauce. The perfect bite? Naan with a piece of paneer and veggies on it, dipped in gravy!

I am sending this to Sri's EFM Theme - Parathas and Gravies / Curries Series.