Virat Kohli Is Bowled Over By ‘Mock Chicken Tikka': How To Make This Vegetarian/Vegan Recipe In Your Home

Let's face it - when a cricket superstar like Virat Kohli swings his bat towards a new favorite dish, we can't help but want a piece of the action. And today, it's all about getting on the bandwagon of the mock chicken tikka. You heard that right, folks!

The dish that's got Virat ditching the traditional recipe for a vegetarian version is hitting culinary sixes all over town. So, grab your aprons and preheat those ovens, 'cause we're about to dive into the recipe that's bowled over one of the world's greatest cricketers.

Virat Kohli Is Bowled Over By ‘Mock Chicken Tikka: How To Make This Vegetarian/Vegan Recipe In Your Home

Now, don't let the 'mock' part fool you, this one is a spiced-up flavor bomb. The key is to let it marinate just like you would with the real deal, giving it enough time to soak up every bit of that savory marinade. Trust us; it's the patience that packs the punch in this dish.

According to Instagram's annual trend report, 42 percent of the GenZs it surveyed expressed they were interested in trying plant-based meat, and overall 'mock meat' is one of the growing trends across the world.

A confessed food, Virat Kohli has recently expressed in a new Instagram story that he was delighted to try mock chicken tikka.

Mock meat imitates the texture of animal meat and ingredients such as jackfruit, banana peels, soy, and wheat isolate are used to prepare it to give the same chewy texture minus the animal cruelty.

Check out this mock chicken tikka recipe which can be a tantalizing solution to your meat cravings.

Ingredients:

For the 'Mock Chicken/Tofu Marinade:
1 package of firm tofu, pressed and cubed
1 cup plain vegan yogurt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for color and smokiness)
1 teaspoon garam masala
Salt to taste

For Cooking:
Skewers (wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes if grilling)
Cooking oil (for grilling or pan-frying)

For Garnish:
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lemon wedges
Instructions:
Prepare the Tofu
Press the tofu to remove excess water.
Cut the tofu into cubes.

Marinate the Tofu
In a bowl, mix together all the marinade ingredients until well combined.
Add the tofu cubes to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated.
Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for better flavor.
Thread the marinated tofu cubes onto skewers.

How To Cook - 2 Options
You can grill it-
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the tofu is browned and cooked through.

You can pan fry it-
Heat a pan with some oil over medium heat.
Place the skewers in the pan and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the tofu is browned on all sides.

Plating/Serving
Remove the skewers from the heat.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.
You can serve the mock chicken tikka with vegan naan, rice, or a side of your choice.