MealTime Success

Tandoori vegetable Kabobs

February 16, 2009

Tandoori is probably one of the most popular word related to Indian cuisine. Tandoori generally applies to any food cooked in an Indian oven called the Tandoor. Originating from the norther western part of the country, tandoori food has become extremely popular through out the world. The recipe here uses a commonly used technique of marinating and cooking vegetables in the tandoori style. Instead of the tandoori oven, the recipe calls for a regular oven or can even be cooked on a indoor or outdoor grill. Tandoori cooking is surprisingly simple for the highly flavorful foods.

Kind of food: Main course, Side, appetizer
How long: 30 min
Makes: 8 – 10 kabobs
Pot & pans: Baking tray or grill

Ingredients
1 large Potato – 2 inch cubes
1 large Yam or sweet potato – 2 inch cubes
2 carrots – cubed
1 Bell pepper – cubed
2 red onions – cubed
2 small Zucchini  – cubed
t tbsp butter
For the marinade
3 tbsp Sour cream ( or thick yogurt)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp black salt ( a pink colored salt available in Indian grocery stores)
1 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tbsp Tandoori masala powder (available in Indian grocery stores)
1 tsp Ginger garlic paste (readily available in Asian food sections)
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1 pinch of red food color (optional)
1 tbsp of cooking oil

How to make
Cut all the vegetables into cubes and keep them all about the same size. cook the potatoes, carrots and yams in a covered microwavable dish for 2 min on high or just enough to soften them so they can be skewered easily.  In a bowl mix all the ingredients except the vegetables and butter. Give it a good mix and add a tsp of water if necessary to make it a smooth thick paste.  Apply the mixture onto the vegetables and give it a good mix till all the vegetables are well coated. Skewer the vegetables and try to mix the order the the vegetables as much as possible.  Alternatively, you can skewer the vegetables and then brush on the marinade. Set the oven the to 400F or heat the grill . Let the vegetables sit for a few minutes till the oven or the grill heats up.  Place the skewers on a greased baking sheet and bake for 10 min.  Turn the broiler on high and broil the skewers for another 5 min or till the vegetables are slightly browned.  Apply some butter for some added flavor in the end. If you are using a grill, grill the skewers on a greased grill and keep turning till all the sides are grilled.

Keep it Smart, Short and Sazzy! – Anu

Serving ideas
Serve the tandoori grilled vegetable skewers with some quick basmati rice. Optionally, you can squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle with chat masala powder on the vegetables.
Make smaller sized version using toothpicks and serve as mini appetizers
Remove from skewers and serve with toothpicks

Tip,tricks and alternatives
The kabobs are very flavorful and makes a good meal or appetizer for large groups
Can  cook chicken also using the same method ( you may have to increase cooking and marinating time)
You can also grill thick slices of paneer using the same method (make sure you place the panner in the refrigerator after marinating for 10-15 mins before grilling).

Entry Filed under: 15-30 min appetizers, 15-30 min fixes, 15-30 min meals. Tags: tandoori, vegetables.