Chickpea Tikka Masala Recipe - Vegan, Dairy Free & Oil-Free Option (2024)

FAQs

Can I use yogurt instead of cream for tikka masala? ›

So, instead of cream, I use yogurt and butter (cream's close cousin) to get that rich and velvety tomato gravy for my Chicken Tikka Masala.

Whisk together vegan yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Toss in pressed extra firm tofu that has been cut in to bite sized chunks or cubes or alternatively use vegan chicken and mix well.

Chana masala is typically simmered on the stove until the chickpeas are tender. In contrast, tikka masala involves marinating and grilling the meat before adding it to the sauce. In terms of flavor, chana masala has a mild, earthy flavor. It is not typically as spicy as tikka masala, which can be hot and spicy.

Ingredients. Paneer (milk, modified milk ingredients, citric acid, calcium chloride, potassium sorbate, modified food starch, xanthan gum, guar gum, canola oil), basmati rice (rice, turmeric), tomato cream curry (tomatoes, heavy cream).

Chicken tikka masala is usually made with heavy cream, but I like to use coconut milk instead; its subtle sweetness works beautifully with the spices in the dish. Serve with steamed rice.

If you don't have access to traditional Indian or Greek yogurt, some alternatives include regular cow's milk yogurt, coconut yogurt, almond yogurt, soy yogurt, or goat's milk yogurt. Depending on the recipe, it is also possible to substitute other dairy products such as ricotta cheese or crème fraîche.

Ingredients for Vegan Chicken Tikka - Tomato, Onion, Water, Vegetable Oil, Soya, Chilli Kashmiri, Salt, Ginger, Garlic, Chilli Powder, Veg Broth, Sugar, Garam Masala, Coriander Powder, Cumin Seed, Turmeric Powder. Ingredients for Rice - Water, Basmati Rice, Salt.

Tikka refers to grilled or roasted pieces of meat that are either marinated in yogurt or spiced water before being cooked on skewers. Masala refers to a sauce made with cream, yogurt, or tomatoes; or a mixture of spices used to flavor food.

Some vegan-friendly North Indian curries include chana masala (chickpea curry in a tomato sauce), aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower in a ginger garlic turmeric sauce), baingan bharta (mashed eggplant), bhindi (okra), cabbage, and aloo matar (potatoes and peas in a spiced tomato sauce).

Regarding nutrition, Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Butter Chicken has more fat and calories than Tikka Masala due to the use of cream and butter in the sauce. However, Tikka Masala has more sodium than Butter Chicken due to the use of canned tomato puree.

Are garam masala and tikka masala the same? ›

Tikka masala is pieces of meat or chicken marinated with spices, whereas garam masala is the term used for 'hot spices' that are not spicy but can keep the body warm. Garam masala powders may contain chilli and peppers, although they can be aromatic but are not spicy.

If you don't have a problem with spices and the kick that come with it, you should try tikka masala. On the other hand, if you enjoy a creamy curry with a less intense spice flavor, the best option is butter chicken.

Tofu. Tofu is one of the most popular and versatile vegan alternatives to paneer. It has a similar texture and can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes.

Saag Aloo: This classic dish features spinach (saag) and potatoes (aloo) cooked with cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. Saag aloo is traditionally prepared without any dairy products.

Paneer contains around 2.4% lactose . Though most of it is drained in the whey this lactose concentration is important to maintain the textural and sensory qualities of paneer . I think lactose intolerant person should avoid consuming paneer . If you wish to eat something protein rich you can go for Cheese .

It's common practice in India to add yogurt to Indian cooking. People add it to curry to balance the spices and lighten the dish. It can also make thick curry, a thin. Hence, it can really elevate the flavors of the dish.

Greek yogurt and milk

Blend together equal parts Greek yogurt and whole milk and use it in place of the same amount of heavy cream. Note that this substitute can add thickness to dishes like soups or sauces, but it shouldn't be used in recipes that require whipping.

Yogurt: Use Greek yogurt or strained yogurt also known as Hung curd in Indian cuisine. Using runny yogurt makes your marinade runny and will drain all of the spicy marinade to the pan when you grill them. The chicken won't have any flavors. So make sure your marinade is thick.