Special Tandoori Basil Fish Tikka

Basil has many medicinal properties  and is very commonly available in India.Though this is the first time I have tried & tasted the basil flavored fish tikka,but it was worth trying.I happened to watch this cookery video in Surya TV but it was with chicken and I conveniently changed to fish.And believe me,this really was very flavorful and yummy.My first try in tikka was the Chicken tikka in oven and so this also I tried it in oven.But,this was something we really enjoyed with the basil syrup & cashew paste.I think you can make a veg version with paneer too,keeping the other ingredients the same.This recipe again goes to EP Series-Basil or cardamom ongoing @ Cook Ezee ,Do join & add your entries too :-)

Ingredients
to marinate
Tilapia fillets 4 (cube sized)
Hung curd / thick yogurt/ Greek yogurt 3 tbsp
Chilly powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Cumin powder 1 tsp
Chat masala 1/2 tsp
Salt
Olive oil 1+1 tbsp
to grind
Basil leaves 1/3 cup(puree to get 2 tsp of concentrate)
Cashews 6-7
Ginger 1" piece
Garlic 3 cloves
Green chillies 4
to load on skewers
Red bell pepper 1 cut cubes
onion 1 large cut cubes

Method-
-Wash and clean the fish fillets by rubbing salt and lemon juice.Cut into bite size cubes.Keep aside.
-Prepare a marinade using the ingredients listed and grind the rest of the ingredients listed.
-Mix the ground ingredients with the marinade and make a thick paste using 1tbsp of olive oil..(Don't add any water)
-Then apply generously all over the fish cubes and leave aside for 1 hour.
-Cut the red bell pepper & onion and add to the marinating fish.
-Take a skewer and load it alternatively with red bell pepper,onion & fish cubes.Place the ends of skewer on a tray such that it remains hanging.Pour the remaining 1tbsp of oil over all the loaded fish.
-Pre heat oven to 450 degrees F and place the skewers with tray in it.
-Bake for 15-20 minutes each side and remove from oven when done.(*refer notes)
-Serve as an appetizer by drizzling lemon juice or chat masala !!

Servings~3 skewers

NOTES
*If you are using wooden skewers,don't forget to immerse them in water for 3-4 hours.(I usually leave it overnight)
*Puree the basil leaves without adding water and get the pure concentrate.
*The flavor of basil is not very predominant in this recipe,if you would like to add more you can.
*I usually turn the oven to broil mode the last minute or two,just to give the charred appearance like in tandoor.That is optional if you like the charred feel.
*You can use chicken in place of fish as the original recipe called for chicken.

Also, sending this to Bon Appetit- Appetizer recipes