07/16/2021
Ingredients
For the Salmon Tikkas or Kebabs:
400 gms Salmon Fillet (0.92 pounds)
1/4 cup Yogurt
1/2 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1/2 tbsp tandoori masala (available in Indian grocery stores)
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp Paprika (or Kashmiri red chili powder)
Salt (to taste)
2 tbsp Canola Oil
For the Tikka Masala Sauce:
1-1/3 cups roughly chopped onion
3/4 cup canned tomato paste or sauce
1/4 cup cashews
1/2 tbsp Garam Masala Powder
1/2 tsp Paprika or Deggi Mirch or Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
5 pods garlic roughly chopped
1/2 tbsp Sugar
2 tbsp sour cream (optional)
2 tbsp Butter
Salt (to taste)
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Instructions
How to make the fish tikkas or kebabs:
Add all the ingredients from the Ingredients section “For the Salmon tikkas or kebabs” except the canola oil. Whisk well to mix them. The marinade is ready.
Prep the Salmon by rinsing it well under tap water & drying it all up with a paper kitchen towel. Cut the fish into 1.5″ big chunks.
Put it in the marinade & rub the marinade all over the fish pieces to coat them uniformly.
Now, heat up your favorite skillet over medium high heat. Brush the canola oil & arrange the fish tikkas on the skillet.
Pan sear them well by drizzling oil. Flip sides & pan sear very well. It should take you about 5 mins.
After about 5 mins raise the temperature to high & give the fish tikkas a good char. They are all done, keep them aside in a plate. Keep aside the skillet too, you’ll deglaze & use it to cook the sauce. Do not wash it.
How to make the tikka masala sauce:
Heat up the skillet (the one you used for pan searing the fish) over medium heat. Add the butter, as it begins to melt add the chopped onion & the garlic. Saute, deglazing the pan while sauteing & sweat out the onions & the garlic. It should take you around 5 mins. For deglazing the onions will acquire a brown color.
Now, add the canned tomato sauce, cashews, paprika, garam masala, sugar & salt. Stir & mix well. It should take you about 1-2 mins.
Add water, mix well. Cover & cook over medium low heat for 2 mins. After 2 mins turn off the flame & allow the mixture to cool down.
Now, blend it into a fine paste. Add a little water if you find the sauce a little too tight.
Now, in the same skillet you may add little more butter oil or none. Strain the sauce directly to the pan keeping the heat to low. Cover & simmer for 3-4 mins.
Add the fish tikkas & simmer covered over low flame for another 2 mins.
Serve hot! Enjoy.
Notes
Do not pan sear the fish tikkas over high heat. they will become super chewy, stiff & dry.
Cook the fish tikkas over medium to medium low heat. This will keep the fishes super juicy, tender, flaky.
Brush oil on the skillet & drizzle oil on the fish and the sides while pan searing it. If you add too much oil, the fish tikka marinade might slide off the fish & you won’t get that lovely texture.
De-glazing the pan is very important. This step helps to imbibe extraordinary flavors to the tikka sauce.
Blend the ingredients for the tikka sauce always after sweating them out in the pan.
Strain the blended sauce – You will definitely end up with the creamiest, smoothest & silkiest tikka sauce ever! So, do not skip this step at all, ever!
Simmer the tikka sauce over low heat.
Add the fish to the sauce only before eating. This will keep the fish tikkas intact.
Fish is soft & hence, very fragile when hot. Handle it carefully while platting & storing.