Paneer Pulao

Paneer Pulao is one of the most sought after dish in most of the veg. restaurants.If you are a lover of cottage cheese, this is something you would definitely opt for. It is very easy and simple to make. Hence, whenever you call a large number of guests to home and you want something quick and yet delicious and special, paneer pulao is something you should opt for. No head ache of cutting vegetables etc :P. Here goes the recipe for a simple paneer pulao.

serves:3

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice - 1.5 cups
2. Paneer cubes-200 gms(cut into small cubes)  *I used milky mist panneer.
3. Onion-2 medium sized (Cut length wise)
4. Ginger garlic paste-1 tbsp
5. Green Chili-2 
6. Ghee-1 tbsp
7. Salt to taste
8. Salted Butter-2 tsp *I used amul salted butter

Masala Ingredients

1. Cloves-3
2. Cinnamon stick- 1
3. Bay leaf-1
4. Star anise-2
5. Green Cardamom-2
6. Black Cardamom-2
7. Cumin/Jeera seeds -1 tsp
8. Fennel Seeds-1 tsp
9. Mace/Japathri -2

Method

1. Rinse well and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes in water.

2. Heat ghee in a pan and add all masala ingredients and saute for 1 min on low flame.

3. Add onions, green chili and saute everything till the onions turn nice golden brown.

4. Now,add ginger garlic paste to the pan and saute the entire mixture till the raw flavor of garlic goes off.

5. Strain the soaked basmati rice and add it to the above pan.

6. Mix the rice along with the sauteed masala mixture.Ensure the rice is evenly mixed and covered with the masala mixture. 

7. Now transfer the content of the pan to a vessel for pressure cooking.

8. Add salt to rice and pressure cook as mentioned here.

10. Now,heat the butter in a pan a and saute the paneer cubes until it becomes slight golden brown on sides.

11. Add the sauteed paneer cubes to the cooked rice and mix gently.

12. The paneer pulao is now ready to be served with raitha or any other spicy accompaniments.