Its September and fall is in the air but here in Las Vegas we are still in the middle of three digit temperatures and summer cookouts are very much happening. Tandoori tikka could be one of the most popular appetizer from indian subcontinent. The term tikka refers to a chunk of meat/fish etc which is coated in spices and grilled/roated on high heat for a smoky charred taste. Tandoori tikka gets its name from being cooked in the hot tandoor or clay ovens where the meat is skewered on long metal rods and cooked on high heat.
I already have a tandoori chicken recipe here on the blog, link is here. It has been tried by many of you guys. However, in addition to the wet yogurt based tandoori marinade, I also like to make dry tandoori masala similar to a dry rub and use it for quick tikka with fish or shrimp. You can grind this tandoori masala and keep it for a few weeks. Its stays fresh for 4-5 weeks.
The first time I tried tandoori pineapple at the great kabab factory back in Delhi many moons ago, I feel in love. The sweet acidity of pineapple along with the the kick of spices is to die for. I am all out flavors that have a punch and here these tandoori tikka with fatty salmon chunks combined with sweet & spicy pineapple are just so delicious!
This tandoori rub is faster way to get the same flavors as you would get from overnight marination. Use good quality spices and store it in an air tight container for freshness. You can use this rub for chicken, shrimp, paneer and vegetables as well. I like serving it with a fresh relish of onions, cucumbers etc and naan. Keep the below few things in mind when you make these tikka:-
- Cut the salmon and pineapple about the same size and do not cut salmon too small else it starts falling off while cooking.
- Use firm yet ripe pineapple. Don't select too ripe pineapple.
- The tandoori rub has a nice flavor of ginger and garlic, however I like using fresh ginger and garlic whenever making tikka. You can skip it if you don't like strong GG flavor.
- I like to keep the skin on because we like crisped skin. If you do not like salmon skin, I suggest peeling it off after the tikka has cooked, it does help in keeping the salmon intact.
- You can add red onion and red bell peppers as well to the skewer, they taste quite good.
- Don't be bogged down by the long list of spices, these are easy to find in indian homes or just visit an indian store.
Tandoori Salmon & Pineapple Tikka
Ingredients
Tandoori Masala
- 2 black cardamom, seeds only (skip if not available)
- 3 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 20 black peppercorns
- 3 green cardamom
- 1 small whole mace (or 1 teaspoon mace powder)
- Half nutmeg (or 1 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg powder)
- 2 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 2 cloves
- 3 sticks cinnamom
- 1.5 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), crushed fine between palms
- 2 teaspoon Kashmiri Chili Powder or Paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tsp dry ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon hot chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 teaspoon chaat masala
- Red food color (if you like,I dont use)
For the Salmon & Pineaapple Tanddori Tikka
- 3 ,6oz Salmon fillets, cut into 2 inch chunks
- 1.5 tablespoon fresh grated ginger & garlic, (grate 3 cloves of garlic and a knob of fresh ginegr shoot)
- Half Lemon, juiced (about 2 tbsp)
- 12-15 fresh firm pineapple chunks (about half a pineapple)
- 2-3 tablespoon tandoori masala (recipe below)
- 1.5 tablespoon oil
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- Oil or oil spray for cooking the tikka
Instructions
Make Tandoori Masala (Makes about ¾ cup)
- In a medium heavy pan, on slow heat, dry roast the corinader, cumin, black and green cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, pepercorns and cloves for 3-4 minutes stirring constantly. Take care not to let the spices burn or brown too much, the taste of the masala will change. We only want to jump start the oils of the whole spices.
- Once roasted, let the spices cool down. Add to a spice blender and grind to a powder. The powder should not be too coarse or too fine.
- Transfer the ground spices to a bowl and mix the rest of the powdered spices listed. Mix very well and store teh masala in an air tight, dry container. Use as needed.
Make the Salmon & Pineapple Tikka
- Add salmon to a bowl and add the lemon, oil, 2 tablespoon tandoori masala, salt and ginger garlic. Mix well so that all the salmon is coated. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- In a seperate bowl add the pinapple and add lemon juice, 1-2 tablespoon tandoori masala and salt. Mix well to coat and keep ready.
- Switch on your grill or heat a grill pan on high. Skewer salmon and pineapple on metal or water soaked wooden skewers.
- Spray oil on the pan and grill the tikka for 4-5 minutes per side, turn to cook all the sides and to get nice grill marks.
- Serve with fresh vegetables, yogurt dips, relish, naan etc.
Notes
- Cut the salmon and pineapple about the same size and do not cut salmon too small else it starts falling off while cooking.
- Use firm yet ripe pineapple. Don't select a very ripe pineapple.
- The tandoori rub has a nice flavor of ginger and garlic, however I like using fresh ginger and garlic whenever making tikka. You can skip it if you don't like strong GG flavor.
- I like to keep the skin on on salmon because we like crisped skin. If you do not like salmon skin, I suggest peeling it off after the tikka has cooked, it does help in keeping the salmon intact and the flavor.
- You can add red onion and red bell peppers as well to the skewer, they taste quite good.
- Use tandoori masala for any kind of meat, chicken, paneer or vegetable. It stresses well for 3-5 weeks in air tight containers.
Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen
So much incredible flavor here! Amazing.
Utsa
Its 10am currently and I'm already drooling?