Tofu Tikka Recipe | Grilled or Pan Fried Tofu in Spicy Yogurt Marinade

Tofu Tikka

While the leaves outside turned to rustic shades of red, yellow and orange, I decided to colour our dinner plates with the same colours. Wondering what I am talking about? Just my usual rambling on a beautiful autumn day. But wait, I have a recipe too which uses coloured peppers and tofu who are here to bid good bye to fall and welcome brrr… the winter. Bight shades of yellow, red and green bell peppers adorned our dinner plates with gold crusted tofu in the form of Tofu Tikka.

Since India is the largest producer of milk, it is no surprising fact that we Indians love milk and milk products. Staring our day with strong milky coffee or tea, we integrate milk and milk products in various recipes. And our meal is incomplete without a glass of yogurt or buttermilk, either spiced with few green chillies, cumin powder etc or sweetened with sugar. Milk, yogurt, buttermilk, ghee, butter and cream are part and parcel of Indian meals. And there is one more milk product which we all love. It is Paneer or Indian cottage cheese used in very famous Matar Paneer, Paneer Butter Masala (Fried cottage cheese served in creamy and buttery onion-tomato gravy), Malai Kofta (Deep fried cheese dumplings in rich, creamy tomato gravy), Paneer Tikka (grilled paneer cubes marinated in spicy yogurt) and many more.

Ready to serve: Tofu Tikka

And this one is for me :)

Tofu Tikka is a healthier version of very famous and much loved Indian Paneer Tikka. There is no compromise on taste or flavour and yet you have this much healthier food to indulge. Firm tofu used in this recipe easily absorbs all lovely flavours of aromatic spices. This recipe uses just bell peppers but you can also use other vegetables like onions, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms or fruits like pineapple cut into cubes for different flavours. Thick yogurt or hung yogurt is used for marinating the tofu and bell peppers along with some freshly ground aromatic spices. You can use as little or as many spices as you like. If you don’t have some freshly ground spices in hand, just use some Garam Masala which is easily available at any Indian grocery stores and any other spices of your choice. The end result is smoky, delicious Tofu Tikka that teases and tantalises your taste buds. Serve them as finger foods or as a side dish with fresh Naan or Basmati rice, this Tofu Tikka is a crowd pleaser and sure to win many hearts. Be creative and serve it as a stuffing for sandwich or even wraps (use whole wheat pita bread or tortillas) with few salad leaves, tomato, onion and cucumber slices. You can also arrange them on few salad leaves and drizzle little bit of yogurt and mint sauce or sour cream on top to make a complete, healthy and nutritious meal.

Coloured Peppers and Tofu for Tofu Tikka

Aromatic spices used in spicy yogurt marinade

Tofu and bell peppers in spicy yogurt marinade

Skewered and ready for pan frying or grilling

And here they are ready for serving: Tofu Tikka

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Tofu Tikka (Pan fried or grilled Tofu and Bell Peppers marinated in spicy Yogurt marinade)
Prep Time: 5-10 mins
Marinating Time: Minimum 30 mins and up to 2-3 hours
Cooking Time: 10-15 mins
Recipe Level: Easy/Beginner
Spice Level: Mild to Medium
Serves: 4-6 people
Shelf Life: Best served fresh but can be refrigerated for 3 days
Serving Suggestion: As a side dish with rice or any Indian flat bread. Read notes for more serving options

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Ingredients:
1 block firm Tofu (About 200 grams), cut into 1 inch cubes
2-3 Capsicums/Bell Peppers of any colour (I used combination of red, yellow and green)
Little oil for pan frying


For Yogurt Marinade:
¾ cup thick Yogurt
½ -1 tsp Red Chilli Powder/Paprika (Adjust acc to taste)
¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
¼ tsp Jeera/Cumin Powder
½ tsp Dhania/Coriander Powder
1 tsp Kasuri Methi/Dried Fenugreek Leaves, crushed
¾ tsp Garam Masala (Adjust acc to taste)
¼ - ½ tsp Kitchen King Masala (Optional, adjust acc to taste)
½ tsp Amchur/Dry Mango Powder
½ tsp Sugar (Optional)
Salt to taste

Tofu Tikka

Delicious Tofu Tikka ready for serving

Method:

1. Beat the yogurt till lump free and mix in all the spice powders listed above along with salt to taste.
2. Add tofu cubes along with bell pepper pieces and mix them well till every piece is coated well with marinate.
3. Cover the bowl with cling film or plate and refrigerate. Let the tofu and bell peppers to marinate for at least 30 mins and up to 2-3 hours for all the flavours to blend well.
4. Once the tofu and bell peppers are marinated, arrange them in a tooth pick (read notes) or skewers (first two bell pepper pieces, tofu and another two bell pepper squares) and set them aside.
5. Heat tawa/griddle and drizzle little oil on it. Arrange tofu and bell peppers on toothpicks or skewers in a single row and let it pan fry for a minute or two till the tofu turns golden brown. Gently turn them over to other three uncooked sides and repeat. Be careful when turning the Tofu as it can easily break if not done gently.
6. Alternatively, you can grill them in an oven. Pre-heat the oven to 200 deg C or 400 deg F. Line the baking tray or sheet with parchment or aluminium foil and arrange the tofu and bell peppers in single layer. Grill them for 15-20 minutes, turning the pieces once or twice in between.
7. Serve this delicious Tofu Tikka as a starter/appetizer/finger food or serve it with any flavoured rice/Indian flat breads with any curry of your choice. Be creative and serve it as a stuffing for sandwich or even wraps (use whole wheat pita bread or tortillas) with few salad leaves, tomato, onion and cucumber slices. You can also arrange them on few salad leaves and drizzle little bit of yogurt and mint sauce or sour cream on top to make a complete, healthy and nutritious meal.

Tofu Tikka

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Sia’s Notes:

• If you are grilling the tikkas, simply immerse the tooth picks in a bowl of water. It will prevent the sticks from catching fire! Talking from experience ;)
• When it comes to using spices, you can use as little or as much as you like. If you don’t have some freshly ground spices in hand, just use some Garam Masala and any other spices of your choice. The list above shows the spices I usually have in my pantry and hence, you can choose to use the ones you like.
• Marinating the tofu for good 2-3 hours helps in absorbing all the flavours of the spices. So it is recommended that you marinate the tofu and peppers for 2-3 hours in refrigerator.
• If you are not fond of Tofu, simply substitute it with some fresh Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese).
• You can also use some onions, tomatoes, courgettes (zucchini) or mushrooms along with bell peppers.
• Serve this delicious Tofu Tikka as a starter/appetizer/finger food or serve it with any flavoured rice/Indian flat breads with any curry of your choice. Be creative and serve it as a stuffing for sandwich or even wraps (use whole wheat pita bread or tortillas) with few salad leaves, tomato, onion and cucumber slices. You can also arrange them on few salad leaves and drizzle little bit of yogurt and mint sauce or sour cream on top to make a complete, healthy and nutritious meal.