Paneer tikka BBQ skewers and refreshing lemonade

Homemade Lemonade and BBQ Paneer tikka skewers

Our garden has a lemon tree that has the best lemons and nothing is more refreshing than a homemade

lemonade on a hot afternoon.

Ingredients for Lemonade

3 to 4 medium size yellow lemons 

1 cup plain granulated organic sugar

1 cup water for preparing the syrup

4 cups water

Ice cubes 

Method:

1. Take a medium size sauce pan, add 1 cup water. Next, stir in 1 cup sugar.

Heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

2. Allow the syrup to cool for few minutes.

3. Squeeze the 3 to 4 lemons and add the lemon juice to the cooled sugar syrup.

4. Add remaining 4 cups of water and stir, add ice and serve cool.

Paneer skewers 

This dish goes well as a starter and perfect for a bbq party where some guests 

may prefer vegetarian food. It is also a party food that works like an ice breaker to start chats 

with friends and good for a crowd of friends and family. In this dish, the marination is important

where spices uphold the flavor. Colorful vegetables also enhance the look of this dish.

Skewers are versatile, you can make vegetarian, non vegetarian.

Paneer is a milk based cheese that is soft like cottage cheese. the marinade is made up of yogurt, spices, lemon juice and tandoor tikka powder ( available online or in Indian grocery stores)

Ingredients 

500 gm Paneer cubed ( cut it into 1 inch cubes )

1/2 cup plain yogurt

Marination items

2 tsp Shaan or Everest tandoori tikka powder (store brought)

1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp fresh ginger garlic paste

2 to 3 finely chopped thai chilies

1 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp besan powder (gram flour)

1 tsp chaat powder (available online)

1 tsp  vegetable cooking oil

Salt to taste

2 tsp kasoori methi (Dried fenugreek leaves) available online

Metal or wooden skewers: If you are using wooden skewers, do soak them for an hour in water before using them or else they can burn.

Method for marinade

1. In a medium size bowl, add yogurt and all remaining  marinate ingredients. Add some edible tandoori red color and a tablespoon vegetable oil. Mix well.

2. Cut an onion into small 1 inch pieces and similarly cut colored bell peppers into same size pieces. 

 Add in cubed paneer and onions and bell peppers and allow it to marinate for approximately an hour.

3. Using skewers add the paneer cubes, alternating them with sliced onion and colored bell peppers.

3. Heat the grill to 350 degrees F and place the skewers onto the grill, spray or brush oil onto them and grill both sides for about 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle some chaat powder on to the cooked paneer tikka and serve hot.

4. If you are using an air fryer, preheat to 400 F and place the paneer tikka and onions, capsicum. Allow to cook for 10 to 15 minutes.

5. If you are cooking using an oven, place the marinated paneer skewers onto a baking tray at 350 F  Allow them to cook for 10 to 15 minutes and be careful they do not burn. As they start to brown or sizzle take them out and serve hot.

 

Paneer Tikka

Lemonade drink

Heating water and sugar to prepare sugar syrup