Paneer tikka Sizzler

PANEER TIKKA SIZZLER

Makes 2 sizzlers

For the paneer tikkas
1 1/2 cups paneer (cottage cheese) cubes
1/2 cup thick onion wedges
1/2 cup capsicum pieces (2") each
1/2 cup thick curd
1/2 tsp besan (Bengal gram flour)
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
2 tbsp mustard oil
salt to taste

For the yellow rice
1 cup rice
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1” cinnamom stick
2 cloves
1 bayleaf (tejpatta)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp oil
salt to taste

For the makhani sauce
5 large tomatoes, roughly chopped
2 cloves
4 to 5 cashewnuts
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1 tsp chilli powder
3 tbsp cream
1/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp butter
salt to taste

For the stuffed capsicum
1 capsicum
1/2 cup boiled corn
1/2 cup boiled green peas
1/2 tsp roasted cumin seeds powder
1 tsp coriander
salt to taste

Other ingredients
1 tbsp oil mixed with 1 tablespoon of water

Method
For the paneer tikkas
1. Combine the curd, gram flour, ginger paste, garlic paste, chilli powder, kasuri methi, garam masala, coriander, salt and 1 tablespoon of mustard oil and mix well to prepare a marinade.
2. Add the paneer, onions and capsicum to it and keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Arrange the paneer, onions and capsicum on 4 skewer sticks.
4. Heat the balance 1 tablespoon of mustard oil on a non-stick tava (griddle) and sauté the paneer tikkas on all sides till they are lightly browned (approximately 4 to 5 minutes).

For the yellow rice
1. Clean, wash and soak the rice for 10 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan, add the cumin seeds, cloves and bay leaf and stir.
3. When the seeds crackle, add the rice, turmeric powder and salt and sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add 2 cups of hot water. Cover and cook over a slow flame for 10 to 15 minutes till the rice is cooked. Keep aside.

For the makhani sauce
1. Combine the tomatoes, cloves, cashewnuts and oil with ¼ cup water and
2. Blend to a smooth purée in a liquidiser. Strain the purée through a sieve and keep aside.
3. Melt the butter in a pan and add the cumin seeds.
4. When the seeds crackle, add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds.
5. Add the onions and sauté till the onions turn golden brown.
6. Add the strained purée, chilli powder, cream, garam masala, kasuri methi

For the stuffed capsicum
1. Cut the capsicum into 2 halves horizontally, scoop out the seeds to create an empty shell.
2. Parboil the capsicum in salted water, drain and keep aside.
3. Combine the corn, peas, cumin seed powder, coriander and salt and mix
4. Fill this mixture in the capsicum halves and keep aside till required.

How to proceed
1. Heat 2 sizzler plates over an open flame till they are red hot and place them on their respective wooden trays.
2. Arrange half the warm yellow rice in the centre of each cast iron plate.
3. Place one stuffed capsicum on one side of each sizzler plate.
4. Top with 2 skewers of the paneer tikkas.
5. Repeat with the remaining ingredients on the other sizzler plate to make another sizzler.
6. Pour the oil-water mixture over the cast iron plates for a sizzling effect.
7. Serve immediately with the makhani sauce