Spicy Grilled Paneer Tikka —

Style Grilled Paneer (or Halloumi) — Quick Recipe

🧀 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the Grilled Cheese

• 250 g paneer or halloumi (cut into thick cubes)

• 3 tbsp Greek yogurt

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley or dill, chopped

To Serve

• Lemon wedges

• Extra olive oil drizzle

🥣 Quick Mediterranean Yogurt Sauce (Tzatziki-Style)

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp grated cucumber (squeezed dry)

• 1 small garlic clove, minced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tbsp lemon juice

• Salt to taste

• Chopped dill or mint

👩‍🍳 Method (15 Minutes)

1. Marinate
   In a bowl, mix yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
   Add paneer/halloumi and coat gently. Rest 5–10 minutes.

2. Grill / Pan-Sear
   Heat a grill pan or skillet on medium heat with a little olive oil.
   Grill cubes until golden and lightly charred on all sides (about 6–8 minutes total).

3. Make the Sauce
   Stir all yogurt sauce ingredients until smooth. Chill briefly if time allows.

4. Serve
   Arrange grilled cheese on a board, drizzle olive oil, sprinkle fresh herbs, and serve with yogurt sauce and lemon wedges.

✅ Tips

• Use halloumi for a saltier, firmer Mediterranean taste.

• Add grilled zucchini, peppers, or cherry tomatoes for a full mezze plate.

• Serve with pita bread or flatbread.

 (Most Asked Questions)

Q1: Can I make this without yogurt?
👉 Yes. Use fresh cream, hung curd substitute (labneh), or thick dairy-free yogurt.

Q2: Why does paneer break while cooking?
👉 Paneer is too soft or heat is too high.
✔ Use firm paneer
✔ Cook on medium heat
✔ Flip gently

Q3: Can I use tofu instead of paneer?
👉 Yes! Use extra-firm tofu, press water out first.

Q4: How to make it less spicy?
👉 Reduce chili powder and skip paprika. Flavor will still be rich.

Q5: Can I store leftovers?
👉 Yes, refrigerate up to 24 hours. Reheat on pan (don’t microwave too long).

Q6: Is this healthy?
👉 Yes 👍

• High protein

• Low carbs

• Can be made with very little oil

Q7: Can I add vegetables?
👉 Absolutely! Add:

• Capsicum

• Onion

• Mushrooms
  (Mix them in the same marinade)

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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