Almond Pesto And Paneer Tikka Recipe

Origin of Almond Pesto And Paneer Tikka Recipe

The Almond Pesto and Paneer Tikka recipe originated in India, where it is a popular dish. The dish is made by marinating cubes of paneer (a type of Indian cheese) in a spiced yogurt and grilling them until golden brown.

The paneer is then served with an almond pesto sauce, which is made with almonds, garlic, olive oil, and spices. This dish is often served with naan bread or rice.

Paneer pieces filled with pesto, coated in a yellow marinade made of cream, coriander root and turmeric powder and pan-fried until perfection. This paneer tikka makes for an ideal starter to kick-start your Diwali dinner party.

It was created by the famous Indian chef, Sanjeev Kapoor, who is known for creating innovative dishes from traditional Indian flavors. The dish is a combination of two popular Indian recipes, pesto and paneer tikka. The almond pesto is a flavorful sauce made with almonds, garlic, chili, and other spices.

• Total Cook Time 25 mins
• Prep Time 15 mins
• Cook Time 10 mins
• Recipe Servings 4
• Easy

Ingredients of Almond Pesto And Paneer Tikka

For paneer:

• 250 gms Cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup Almond flakes
• 1/4 cup Fresh coriander leaves
• 8-10 Basil leaves
• 2 tsp Chopped ginger
• 1 tsp Chopped green chilli
• to taste Salt
• 2 tbsp Grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Chaat masala

For marination:

• 1/2 cup Fresh cream
• 1/2 tsp Chopped fresh coriander roots
• A pinch of Green cardamom powder
• A pinch of Turmeric powder
• to taste Salt
• 1 tbsp Refined oil

How to Make Almond Pesto And Paneer Tikka

1. Roast the almond flakes in preheated oven at 180 degree Celsius for 4 minutes and crush it to powder form once cooled

2. Blend fresh basil, coriander leaves, chopped ginger, chopped green chilli, chaat masala and salt to coarse paste.

3. In a bowl; take out blended mix and add grated parmesan cheese, crushed almonds and mix it well.

4. In a bowl, mix fresh cream, chopped fresh coriander roots, green cardamom powder and a pinch of turmeric powder to get a pale yellow colour marinate. Adjust the seasoning with salt.

5. Cut the paneer in 2'x2' size with 1' of thickness. Slit paneer pieces from centre to fill it with pesto.

6. Fill in pesto mix inside the slit. Coat the paneer with yellow marinate.

7. Heat refined oil in pan, sear marinated paneer evenly on both sides to get golden brown colour.

Once done, take off paneer from pan and serve hot with chutney.

Health Benefits of Almond Pesto And Paneer Tikka Recipe

1. High in Protein: Paneer tikka is a great source of protein, with about 18 grams of protein per serving. This makes it an excellent choice for vegetarians looking to boost their protein intake.

2. High in Healthy Fats: Almond pesto is made with almonds, which are high in healthy fats. These fats can help to reduce inflammation, boost heart health, and lower cholesterol levels.

3. Low in Calories: Paneer tikka is a low-calorie dish, with only about 200 calories per serving. This makes it a great option for those looking to cut calories and maintain a healthy weight.

4. High in Vitamins and Minerals: Paneer tikka is high in vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are important for bone health and overall wellbeing.

5. Rich in Antioxidants: Almond pesto is rich in antioxidants, which can help to reduce oxidative stress and protect against disease.

6. Good Source of Fiber: Paneer tikka is a good source of fiber, with about 2 grams of fiber per serving. This can help to keep you feeling full and aid in digestion.