Week #18 Panko crusted chicken/tofu/paneer tandoori bites

The dish of this week is so versatile and so easy for anything you want to use- Be it Tofu, Paneer or Chicken. Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese breadcrumbs and have a unique texture and taste and work so well in this dish. If you dont have it, please try to make your own from old dried white bread. Just run it in a spice grinder or a mixie until its kind of coarse. It shouldnt be too well ground.. Also this is a much healthier option than deep frying. How you prepare the tofu, paneer or chicken is a bit different but the result is some really crunchy and fairly healthy appetizer or a great lunch box option for kids.


Ingredients :
Tandoori masala powder- 3-4 tablespoons
Panko bread crumbs- 1 cup
Buttermilk 1/2 cup
Egg - 2 ,beaten
Oil- For shallow frying- about 1/2 to 1 cup.

Mix buttermilk and egg together and lightly season with salt and pepper. Usually tandoori masala contains salt and spices. Taste the tandoori masala to ensure that salt is there, otherwise adjust to taste.

Tofu- 1 packet extra firm- drained and patted dry. Then cut into 2 inches long and 1 inch wide strips. Again pat them dry, so there is no moisture on them.

Paneer- Cut them into bite size pieces and drop into buttermilk/egg mixture until ready to shallow fry.

Chicken- Cut into bite size peices and drop into buttermilk/egg mixture.

In a separate plate, mix breadcrumbs and tandoori masala together well.
Heat non stick pan and add oil about 3 tablespoons. The oil should be hot enough, but not too hot that it will burn everything.
Now take tongs and drop tofu/paneer or chicken into the breadcrumbs and tandoori mixture. The egg will help coat it. Make sure the pieces are completely coated in breadcrumbs mixture. Now drop slowly in heated pan with oil one by one. Dont touch it for about 3-4 minutes. Then turn to the other side and make sure to adjust heat. Turn evenly so its brown on all sides. Remove on to paper towels and serve hot or warm as an appetizer or alongwith a salad for a small meal or even as a filling for a wrap or a roll. Enjoy!