Indulge in the irresistible smoky flavours of the smoked paneer tikka sandwich—a delightful fusion of marinated paneer, grilled vegetables, and aromatic spices, all packed on top of a slice of bread. Elevate your open sandwich game with this mouthwatering and flavour-packed delight.
Table of contents
- About the smoked paneer tikka open sandwich
- Ingredients
- Preparation
- Step-by-step instructions
- Pro tips
- Quick recap
About the smoked paneer tikka open sandwich
The smoked paneer tikka sandwich is a delightful variation of the classic paneer tikka sandwich. It features smoky flavours infused into the paneer and vegetables, creating a delicious and aromatic filling. The paneer and vegetables are marinated with a blend of spices, grilled to perfection, and then assembled in an open sandwich on a bread slice. The smoky aroma adds an extra layer of depth to the sandwich, making it a flavourful and satisfying option for sandwich lovers. Whether enjoyed as a quick snack or a light meal, the smoked paneer tikka sandwich is sure to please your taste buds with its enticing flavours.
Ingredients
For the marination
- 250-gram diced paneer
- ¼ cup hung curd
- 1 tsp mustard oil
- 2 tsp ginger garlic green chilli paste
- 1 tbsp roasted besan
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ tsp garam masala powder
- ½ tsp kasuri methi powder
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Veggies
- Diced onion
- Diced green bell peppers
For the open sandwich
- White bread
- Butter
- Green chutney
- Cheese
- Sandwich masala
Preparation
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine curd, ginger-garlic paste, spices (like garam masala, red chilli powder), lemon juice, and salt. Thoroughly combine the ingredients to form the perfect marinade.
- Marinate the paneer and vegetables: Cut the paneer into cubes and coat them along with sliced vegetables (such as capsicum, onions) with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavours.
- Preheat the grill or pan: Preheat a grill or non-stick pan over medium heat for cooking the paneer and vegetables.
- Skewer the paneer and vegetables: Thread the marinated paneer and vegetables onto skewers, alternating between them for even cooking.
- Prepare the bread and spread: Take slices of bread and spread butter or chutney on one side for added flavour.
- Grill the paneer and vegetables: Place the skewers on the preheated grill or pan and cook until the paneer and vegetables are golden and slightly charred, turning them occasionally.
- Remove paneer and vegetables from skewers: Once cooked, remove the paneer and vegetables from the skewers and set them aside.
- Assemble the open sandwich: Take a slice of bread, buttered or spread side up, and layer it with the grilled paneer and vegetables. Add any desired toppings and seasonings to make this recipe your own.
Step-by-step instructions
- In a bowl, combine curd, mustard oil, ginger garlic green chilli paste, roasted besan (gram flour), Kashmiri red chilli powder, garam masala, kasuri methi powder (fenugreek leaf powder), lemon juice, and salt.
- Add paneer, capsicum, and onions to the bowl and mix them to coat them evenly with the spice mixture.
Place a small bowl in the centre of the mixture and add hot charcoal to it. Pour some ghee over the charcoal and cover the bowl with a lid. This will infuse the mixture with a smoky flavour. - Remove the lid and the small bowl from the centre. Skewer the paneer pieces onto a stick for grilling.
- Heat ghee in a grill pan and place the skewered paneer in it, allowing it to cook until golden and slightly charred.
- Spread a layer of butter on one side of a bread slice.
- Spread green chutney on the buttered side of the bread slice.
- Remove the paneer pieces from the skewer and place them on top of the bread slice.
- Sprinkle some salt and grated cheese over the paneer.
- Heat butter in a pan and place the bread slice with the paneer on it. Place a lid on the pan and watch the cheese melt to perfection.
- Once the cheese has melted and the bread is toasted, serve the delicious smoked paneer open sandwich while it is piping hot.
Pro tips
- Marinating time: Allow the paneer and vegetables to marinate for a longer duration, ideally for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This enhances flavour absorption and ensures a more flavorful result.
- Soaking the skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 15-20 minutes before threading the paneer and vegetables. This prevents them from burning or splintering during grilling.
- Preheating the grill or pan: Ensure that your grill or non-stick pan is properly preheated before placing the skewers. This helps achieve a good sear and prevents the paneer from sticking.
- Basting with marinade: While grilling, baste the paneer and vegetables with the leftover marinade to keep them moist and add an extra layer of flavour.
- Choosing the bread: Opt for a bread variety that complements the flavours of the sandwich, such as a crusty baguette, ciabatta, or whole wheat bread. Toasting the bread lightly before assembling adds a nice texture.
- Adding crunch: Consider adding some sliced onions, lettuce, or cucumber for a refreshing crunch and added texture to the sandwich.
- Experiment with condiments: Enhance the flavours further by adding condiments like mint chutney, garlic sauce, or a tangy yoghurt-based dressing to complement the smoky paneer tikka.
- Serving suggestions: For a complete meal, pair the sandwich with a side of salad, potato chips, or pickles. It also goes well with a cooling beverage like a refreshing mint lemonade or iced tea.
Quick recap
Ingredients
Paneer (Indian cottage cheese), vegetables (such as capsicum and onions), spices (like garam masala, and red chilli powder), yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, bread slices, butter or chutney for spreading.
Instructions
- Marinate paneer and vegetables with spices, yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, and lemon juice. Let them marinate for enhanced flavours.
- Preheat a grill or non-stick pan and cook the marinated paneer and vegetables until golden and slightly charred.
- Prepare bread slices by spreading butter or chutney on one side.
- Assemble the sandwich by placing grilled paneer and vegetables on the bread slices. Add any desired toppings, such as sliced onions or lettuce.
- Serve the smoked paneer tikka open sandwich as a delightful and flavorful snack or light meal.