Have you ever seen a tikka while it’s being cooked? Juicy meat or crunchy vegetables marinated in spices and yoghurt and grilled over a tandoor can be a heavenly sight for foodies. Imagine chicken chunks marinated and then threaded onto massive metal skewers, lowered into a fiery tandoor oven and emerging a few minutes later - smoky, charred, juicy and tender. Aren’t you slurping already? How it turns from raw to robust and exudes a magical aroma is sure to get a food lover excited.
Tikkas are undoubtedly one of the most loved snacks in Indian cuisine. The word ‘tikka’ means pieces, bits or chunks, and it is traditionally marinated in yoghurt, aromatic spices and herbs and then grilled on skewers. Tikkas are served in various ways, on a bed of butter sauce, laced with cream or simply with sliced onions and a slice of lemon on the side. But everything depends on the flavour of tikkas you are having. Yes, there are flavours when it comes to tikkas too. In fact, a whole lot of it.
Whether you are planning a dinner party at home or just wish to give your evening snacks a little zingy spin, our tikka recipes can be your best bet.
1. Malai Tikka
You’d have had it in several restaurants and marvelled at the creamy, smooth texture and unique flavour, but ever thought you could make it at home as well? This malai tikka, though not cooked in the traditional tandoor, is wrapped in a cream or malai marinade using cream cheese, cream and yoghurt, which gives it a gentle mild flavour.
2. Pineapple Tikka
Okay, we know how the sound of pineapple tikka may make you apprehensive, but one experiment with your pineapple chunks can get you hooked on it. You’d never go back to the usual vegetable options including paneer or mushroom tikka after trying this one. This has pineapple chunks marinated in a pool of spices, and roasted till perfect crisp.
3. Egg Tikka
Ever thought of giving your hard-boiled eggs a crunchy makeover? This tikka recipe has eggs halved into two, coated in egg whites, bread crumbs and a mixture of potato, garam masala, chillies and spices, before being deep-fried.
4. Hariyali Paneer Tikka
Paneer is one of the most popular vegetarian snacks, so give your regular paneer tikka a bread and try this flavourful hariyali paneer tikka a chance. Marinated in an exotic green combination of fennel, ginger, garlic, onion, chillies, mint leaves and yoghurt, this paneer tikka is unmissable. You can simply replace paneer with chicken for a non-vegetarian version.
5. Tandoori Gobi Tikka
Marinated in tandoori masala and cooked in a cast iron pan, this gobi (cauliflower) tikka is a paradise for spice lovers. With spices such as garam masala, chaat masala, red chilli and more, this tikka is sure to impress you.
So, which tikka are you trying next? Let us know.