Topic: Best way to cook tikka?

[joshallen2k]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to cook chicken tikka to get as close to "tandoor" as possible.

A) gas barbecue
B) oven grill
C) oven bake at highest temperature

I'm also wondering should the tikka skewers be touching the grill/rack, or suspended (not touching metal)

Wondering if anyone can definitively say one way works better than others.

Interested too if anyone has tried one of those small home clay tandoors.

Thanks
Josh

[JerryM]

without doubt having tried grill & oven the best by far is gas bbq.

[Curry King]

Yep gas bbq for me to although I more often than not use the oven due to the weather and hassle of going out side.  I tend to use metal sqewers suspended over an oven pan or just place the tikka pieces on a backing tray rigth at the top of the oven on full whack.

[joshallen2k]

OK gas bbq it is.

So - should the skewers be on the grill itself, or suspended above?

J

[Secret Santa]

It's probably no help to you joshallen2k but in my previous house I had a rotisserie oven and that worked great for tandoori portions and tikka, I really miss it now.

[JerryM]

i just put them straight on the grill. i find it best to try to leave them for longer than to turn frequently as they otherwise start to stick ie i try and work out the cooking time (depends on the weather but say 8 mins). i then cook 2 mins and then turn and adjust time if needed so they are cooked after 4 turns

i presume a rotisserie or such would avoid the sticking and would therefore be much better  but would still need to be fairly close to the grill to benefit from the high heat which is why i'm using the bbq in the 1st place.

so overall i think i'm happy to stick as is - directly on the grill.

ps once you've got a gas bbq you will never look back. i have mine outside the kitchen all year round and provided its not too windy i use i all the time. i also use for naan bread.

[chinois]

I dont understand why a 'gas' bbq. Surely a charcoal one will always taste better. Provided you dont put the food on too early and there arent firelighters still burning etc. It's going to be more smokey

[JerryM]

your 99% right

i had this debate with a very good friend for many years. i had the smokey charcoal and he the propane gas.

both of us agreed the better taste is with the charcoal.

i probably used the charcoal bbq 3 or 4 times a year. I now use my gas bbq at least once a week and more often than not twice a week all year round. i even use it in the rain.

it's a trade off that i've happily traded.

[parker21]

hi
just to put in my twopenneth, to prevent sticking to the grill on the bbq if you oil the bars first and it is easier to clean afterwards. and the same for skewers!
regards
gary

[Garnett]

What's the best way, using only standard kitchen equipment? Anyone got any ideas/recommendations?