Tofu tikka masala is an aromatic and gourmet dish. Tikka masala is a classic Indian recipe made with paneer(cottage cheese) or chicken. Here, I have adapted the same for tofu. Authentic tikka is usually prepared in tandoor(type of oven). We can make this in stove top itself keeping the delicious taste. This dish pair well with flat breads like naan, roti, plain or flavored rice.

Tofu soaked in this creamy gravy taste enticing. You will definitely adore this soft and spice flavored tofu chunks.

Tofu Benefits

• Tofu is power-packed, low calorie food made from soybean curds.
• It contains no cholesterol and naturally gluten-free.
• It is a good source of protein, iron and calcium.

How To Make Tofu Tikka Masala

First, you should cut and marinate tofu in thick yogurt, lemon juice, oil and spice mix(tikka masala) for an hour. Then, shallow fry in pan and keep it separate. In the same pan you can fry onions ginger and garlic for few minutes and allow them to cool. Now, add them to blender along with cut tomatoes , cashews (instead of cream) and grind to smooth paste. After that add some more oil or butter to pan, when heated add onion tomato cashew paste and chili powder and cook till oil separates. Finally, add fried tofu, garam masala, cream(optional) and simmer for 5 minutes.

You can try to serve tofu tikka masala with my [Pumpkin flat bread][1].

Tofu Tikka Masala Recipe

• Course: Side Dish
• Cusine: Indian
• Preperation Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

Marination

• 14 oz Extra firm tofu pat press water out
• 1-2 tsp tikka masala /home made tikka masala check notes shaan tikka masala
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup yogurt thick (if home made then hang in muslin and remove water)
• 1+5 tsp oil marination+shallow frying
• salt to taste

Gravy * 2 onion chopped roughly * 3-4 tomatoes approx 1 cup puree * 2 tsp ginger chopped * 6-8 pods garlic * 2 tbsp oil * 12 piece cashew * ¹⁄₂ tsp chili powder increase or decrease according to taste * 1-2 tbsp cream optional * ¹⁄₂ tsp garam masala * salt to taste * cilantro to garnish

Instructions

• First, you should cut and marinate tofu in thick yogurt, lemon juice, oil, salt and spice mix(tikka masala) for an hour. 
• Then, shallow fry the marinated tikka in the pan with oil and keep it separate. If you want to bake in oven, bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes (depends on size and shape) turning once or twice.
• In the same pan you can fry onions ginger and garlic for few minutes and allow them to cool. Now, add them to blender along with cut tomatoes, cashews (instead of cream) and grind to smooth paste.
• After that add some more oil or butter to pan, when heated add ground paste and chili powder, salt and cook till oil separates.
• Finally, add fried tofu, garam masala, cream(optional) and simmer for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Recipe Notes

• Fresh cream: I added the cashews instead of fresh cream. The color will lighten when you add fresh cream. 
• Chili powder: I used Kashmir chili powder which gives darker color, without increasing the spice level.
• Home made yogurt: Thick yogurt is definitely important so try to remove water from yogurt by hanging it in a muslin cloth. If it is store brought, skip this.
• Baking tofu in oven: bake marinated tofu at 350 for about 30-40 minutes (depends on size and shape) turning once or twice.  
• Tikka masala home made 
  • corriander powder  1 tbsp
  • chilli powder            1 .5 tbsp
  • cumin powder           1 tsp
  • nutmeg powder        1/4tsp
  • cardamom powder  1/4tsp
  • cinamon powder   1/4tsp
  • black pepper          1/4tsp