Paneer tikka masala

Method

1. Blend together the ingredients for the tikka marinade until smooth, scrape into a bowl, add the paneer and stir to coat.
2. With a stick blender, blend the tomatoes until smooth. Heat the oil and half the butter in a large non-stick saucepan. Add the whole spices and cook for 10 seconds before adding the ginger and garlic; cook gently until starting to colour. Add the tomatoes and tomato purée and cook down until the resulting paste releases oil, around 20 minutes. Now, over a medium-low flame, ‘brown’ this paste, stirring often, until it darkens considerably, around eight to 10 minutes. Add 250 ml of water, bring to the boil, then pass through a sieve, pressing down on the solids with the back of a spoon until all you have left are fibre and spices; throw these away.
3. Heat the grill on its highest setting. Place the paneer on a foil-lined tray and grill for eight to 10 minutes, turning once, or until the edges are lightly charred. Remove from the oven.
4. Heat the remaining butter and add the green chillies. Add the tomato sauce, powdered spices, salt, sugar and a good splash of water and simmer for two or three minutes. Add the paneer and simmer for another five to six minutes. Add the cream and simmer, shaking the pan gently, until the sauce is lovely and creamy, around two or three minutes. You may need to add a little more water to get the consistency of single cream. Taste and adjust the balance by adding more salt, sugar or cream as necessary (cream will lessen any overt acidity from under-ripe tomatoes). Serve and wait for the applause.