Cauliflower Tikka Masala is a vibrant and flavorful Indian dish where marinated cauliflower florets are roasted and simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce.
Cauliflower Tikka Masala
Tikka recipes are my all-time favorites. These are vegetarian versions of the original chicken tikka masala. Tikka marinade is the main ingredient that adds flavor and a smoky flavor to the perfect restaurant-style tikka masala. This vegetarian twist on the classic chicken tikka masala offers a satisfying blend of smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors, perfect for pairing with rice or naan.
What is tikka?
Tikka is a grilled item (vegetable or paneer) soaked in a marination mixture. Basic tikka marinade is a mixture of spices and hung curd. For the binding, we use roasted gram flour.
Perfect tikka marinade mixture:
Hung curd + ginger garlic paste + red chilli powder (paprika) + coriander powder + cumin powder + turmeric powder + garam masala + kasuri methi (dried fenugreek) + ajwain+ chat masala + black salt + regular salt + lemon juice + mustard oil + roasted gram flour ( for binding )
I know the list of spices is quite long, but that brings in that unique flavor. When we add the leftover marinade mixture to the gravy and simmer, the gram flour makes the gravy thicker.
How can I make Vegan Cauliflower Tikka Masala?
Yes, even if you are vegan, you can make this curry vegan. Cauliflower is naturally vegan. They are also one of the best for keto diets as well. But to make the tikka masala vegan, you need to replace the hung curd with a vegan dairy-free curd, like coconut yogurt.
How to make cauliflower tikka masala?
Ingredients You'll Need:
For cauliflower tikka:-
Cauliflower florets
Hung curd/ Vegan yogurt
Ginger garlic paste
Tikka marinade spices - as mentioned above
Mustard oil - for marinade mixture
For Gravy
Onion, tomato, green chili
Ginger garlic paste - substitute minced garlic and ginger
Cashew nuts 8 - 10 - soak for 30 minutes in hot water
Ground spices - cumin seeds, ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala
Herbs - Dry roasted kasuri methi and fresh coriander leaves
For a smoky flavor:- take a piece of charcoal and a tsp of oil or butter (vegan butter)
Cauliflower Tikka Masala Recipe
How to make cauliflower tikka masala?
I. Prepare cauliflower tikka
Clean and cut cauliflower into smaller chunks. Parboil them for 4 - 5 minutes. This will make the cauliflower a little softer and easier to cook.
Now, prepare the marination mixture(read above). Add parboiled cauliflower, bell peppers, and onion chunks, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Shallow Fried Cauliflower Tikka
Then, heat 2 - 3 tbsp oil in a pan. Shallow-fry the coated veggies until they are golden and change in color. Remove them from the pan once they are done. Fry in batches, and don't overcrowd the pan. Keep aside.
Air-fried Cauliflower Tikka
Heat the air-fryer at 400F (200C). Grease the box with a little oil or oil spray.
Place the cauliflower chunks, onions, and bell peppers in the air fryer basket. Start at 400F and set the timer to 10 minutes. Pause at 5 minutes and flip them for uniform cooking. Don't overcrowd the basket.
Start and cook till the timer goes off or the cauliflower pieces look cooked. Shake every 3 minutes until done. If you make them in batches, set the timer for 8 minutes (2 minutes less) for the 2nd batch.
Note: Not all air fryers cook equally. Also, tender cauliflower may get cooked early. Keep checking at regular intervals.
II. Prepare the tikka masala sauce
First, soak 10 - 12 cashew nuts in hot water for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, add them to a blender along with chopped tomatoes and green chilies (optional).
Heat oil in a pan. Add finely chopped onions or onion paste. Saute for 2 minutes until translucent and starting to release oil.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for a minute. Add the tomato and cashew nuts puree and saute until cooked well.
Then, add all ground spices and the rest of the marination mixture to the gravy (it will help make a thick gravy and will be creamy).
Add the tikka veggies and simmer for 5 minutes, covering with a lid. Add the kasuri methi and finely chopped coriander leaves. Give it a nice stir and cook for 2 minutes more.
Our delicious cauliflower tikka masala is ready. I don't add cream, but if you like it creamy, add 2 - 3 tbsp fresh or coconut cream and stir it.
For a smoky flavor, heat a piece of coal on direct fire. Use a tong to hold the hot coal. Place it in a small bowl. Now, carefully place the bowl above the curry. Add a tsp of butter (or oil) or ghee. The coal will start emitting smoke. Cover the bowl/ pan with a large cover. Let it sit for 4 - 5 minutes. The smoky flavor will be added to the curry.
Serving Ideas:
This rich, creamy curry is best paired with bread and rice. Serve it with tandoori roti, lachha paratha, naan, steamed rice, or jeera rice.
Other Cauliflower Recipes:
Cauliflower Tikka Masala Recipe
Cauliflower Tikka Masala
Equipment
- 1 large Mixing Bowl
- 1 pan or skillet
Ingredients
For tikka
- 1 large cauliflower head cut into florets
- 1 onion cut into larger cubes
- 1 bell pepper diced into cubes
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup hung curd or vegan yogurt like coconut yogurt
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste substitute: 5 - 6 garlic and 1 inch ginger minced
- 1 tsp red chilli powder smoked paprika
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ยฝ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ยฝ tsp chat masala
- ยฝ tsp black salt
- ยฝ tsp regular white salt
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 3 tbsp roasted gram flour
- ยฝ tsp cumin powder
- ยฝ tsp kasuri methi powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
For curry
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 8 -10 cashews
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- ยฝ tsp turmeric powder
- ยฝ tsp kasuri methi
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
- 10 cashew nuts
Instructions
Prepare Tikka Marinade
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ingredients mentioned above under marinade category.
- Whisk it all to a smooth paste.
- Clean and cut cauliflower into little larger chunks.
- Add cauliflower, bell peppers, onion chunks.
- Let it rest for 30 - 45 minutes minimum. (the more the better)
- After 30 - 45 minutes heat 4 -6 tbsp oil in a pan.
Prepare Cauliflower Tikka (Stovetop)
- Now take out coated veggies and shallow fry them in batches. make sure all sides are equally cooked.
- Once they turn golden brown remove from pan and keep aside. Cauliflower tikka is ready.
- You can also use a skewer to stalk the vegetables and roast them in on pan or in oven.
Cauliflower Tikka in Air-fryer
- Heat the air-fryer at 400F (200C).
- Grease the box with little oil or oil spray.
- Take out the cauliflower chunks and place them in the container.
- Start at 400F and set the timer to 10 minutes.
- Pause at 5 minutes and shake for uniform cooking.
- Start and cook till timer goes off or cauliflower pieces looks cooked.
- Shake at every 3 minutes interval until done.
- Once cauliflower is done, place the bell peppers, onion chunks and cook for 2 minutes at same temperature.
- If you are making cauliflower in batches, set the timer for 8 minutes (2 minutes lesser) on the 2nd batch.
Prepare Tikka Masala Gravy
- Soak 10 cashew nuts in hot water.
- after 30 minutes put it in a blender along with chopped tomatoes.
- Blend it to a smooth puree.
- Add 2 tbsp oil to the same pan.
- Add chopped onion and finely chopped ginger garlic and saute till translucent.
- Now add pureed tomato and cashews.
- Simmer till it's cooked well and starts leaving oil on sides.
- Now add all dry spices mentioned above (except kasuri methi).
- Mix it well and add little water or as required.
- Don't add much water as the gravy should be thicker in tikka masala.
- Add shallow fried veggies and left out marination mixture to the gravy.
- Cover with a lid and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Then add roasted and crushed kasuri methi and finely chopped coriander leaves.
- Simmer for another minute or two.
- Now turn off heat and cover for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
If you like this post and want to stay updated, subscribe via email. Please also like and share my Facebook Page. Follow My Dainty Kitchen on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
PIN IT FOR LATER
Leave a Comment (And a 5 Star Rating)