Methi Chaman Briyani (Paneer Methi Briyani)

Another interesting recipe from the masterchef Venkatesh Bhat from his briyani special episode (Watch the full episode here) which I tried for a sunday lunch. I have always been a big fan of him and I still have plenty of recipes from his collections yet to be tried. Never knew Briyanis can be made in so many different variations with different ingredients and flavours. He comes out with varied briyani varieties, that too vegetarian :):)

This is one such vegetarian briyani recipe, that uses juicy paneer(cottage cheese) and Methi. This aroma of Methi is the punch for this recipe. Hence, I do not add coriander or pudhina to this briyani as it might overshadow the significant aroma of Methi leaves.

This is my favourite combo and making this into briyani was really exciting. Let's quickly check out the recipe for this mild, aromatic and flavourful chunky Briyanis.

Ingredients

1. Fresh fenugreek leaves (methi) - 1/2 small bunch
2. Paneer (cottage cheese) - 200 gms (cut into cubes)
3. Basmati Briyani Rice - 1.5 cups
4. Saffron (kesar) - 6-7 strands
5. Milk - 1/2 cup
6. Ghee - 3 tablespoons
7. Onions - 3 large (Thinly sliced)
8. Green chillies - 2 slit
9. Fried onions - 1/2 cup
10. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
11. Salt - 1.5 tsp

Masala Ingredients

1. Green cardamoms - 2
2. Black cardamom - 1
3. Cloves - 3-4
4. Cinnamon -1 inch stick
5. Bay Leaf - 1
6. Black peppercorns - 5-6

For Marination

1. Thick Yogurt - 1 Cup
2. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
3. Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tbsp
4. Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
5. Roasted Cumin powder - 1 tbsp
6. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
7. Garam masala powder - 2 tsp
8. Needed Salt

Method

Marinating the Paneer

1. Marinate the paneer cubes with ingredients listed under "Marination". Let the paneer cubes remain soaked in the marinated yogurt mixture for half hour. This helps all the flavours to be absorbed inside the paneer and also helps it become soft.

Paneer cubes marinated in yogurt and spices

Cooking the Basmati Rice

2. Wash the Basmati Rice 2 times well for the excess starch to get rinsed off. Boil the basmati rice with a tbsp of ghee ,enough water and 1.5 tsp of salt till it is cooked about 90 percent. Drain the rice and keep it aside for dum cooking with the gravy. You can feel it by breaking the rice. 

90 percent Cooked Basmati Rice

Preparing Methi Paneer Gravy

3. Discard the roots of the methi leaves. Chop the leaves and tender stem part finely. Wash them thoroughly to get rid of mud and the bitter taste.

4. Heat a heavy bottomed pan, add ghee and all ingredients under "Masala". Add Onions,green chili and ginger garlic paste. Saute well until the onions are cooked and become translucent.

5. Add the marinated paneer, methi leaves and fried onions and mix well. Add needed amount of salt after checking. Cook the mixture on low flame for about 10 mins.

Preparing the Methi paneer gravy

Layering of Briyani

1. Soak strands of saffron in 1/2 cup of warm milk overnight or for about half hour.

Saffron soaked milk

2. Take a big heavy bottomed pan/cooker for dum cooking.

3. Layer the Methi Paneer gravy first. Add the remaining rice on top of the gravy as second 
layer.

Layering of Paneer Methi Masala

4. Sprinkle the saffron + milk all over the rice as shown in the picture.

Layering of rice topped with Saffron milk

Dum cooking

5. Place a Dosa Tawa on flame. Transfer the dum cooking handi/pressure cooker pan to dosa tawa and cover the pan tightly so that no heat escapes.( as shown below)

6. Cook for about 15 mins on low flame with the pan fully sealed.

7. Methi Chaman Briyani is all ready and piping hot to be served along with any raita of your choice :)

Malai Kofta

A royal,delicious and a very famous menu in every restaurant. These succulent juicy kofta immersed in rich creamy gravy is sure to leave your mouth watering. Malai means cream, in other words richness or royal. This combines everything that is rich like cashews, fresh cream and paneer as main ingredients.You can make this either as a white gravy completely by ignoring tomatoes as well.However, I have used tomatoes as I had some fresh tomatoes in stock with me. Either way, this will taste awesome. This is a mildly sweet gravy very similar to paneer butter masala.This goes very well with Butter Naan or any other Indian Breads. Learn to make this simple easy recipe at home without much fuss.

Ingredients

Base Onion Tomato Gravy

1. Onions - 3(Big)
2. Banglore Tomatoes - 2 (Big)
3. Cashew Nuts - 12-15
4. Poppy seeds/Khus Khus - 2 tbsp
5. Green Chili - 2 small or 1 big
6. Water - 2 cups

Kofta

1. Paneer - 200 gms (Grated)
2. Raisins - 2 tbsp
3. Cashews - 2 tbsp (chopped)
4. Potato - 3 big(boiled, peeled and smashed)
5. Needed Salt
6. Corn flour - 2 tbsp (for binding)
7. Maida/All purpose flour - Dusting
8. Oil for deep frying

Other Ingredients

1. Butter - 2 tbsp
2. Bay leaf - 1
3. Green Cardamon - 2
4. Cloves - 2
5. Pepper powder - 1 tsp
6. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
7. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
8. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Needed salt
11. Sugar - 3 tsp
12. Fresh Cream - 2 tbsp
13. Kasuri Methi (crushed) - 1 tsp

Method

Gravy Preparation

1. Boil all ingredients under "Gravy" for about 5 mins. The skin of tomatoes come off. Once the contents are cooled, blanch the tomatoes. ( see more on blanching tomatoes).

                              

2. Grind the contents to a smooth paste.

3. Heat butter in a pan, add bay leaf, cloves and cardamom and saute well.

4. Add ginger garlic paste and saute well for the raw flavor to go off.

5. Add the ground gravy mixture to the pan and saute well.

                             

6. Add all the powders mentioned in other ingredients and needed salt to saute well.

7. Cover the lid and allow it to simmer for 10 mins.

8. After 10 mins, the gravy would have cooked well and the raw taste would have gone completely.

9. Mix well and add needed water (if gravy has become too thick).

10. Add sugar and fresh cream and give it a good stir.

11. Add some crushed kasuri Methi and switch off the flame.

Kofta preparation

1. Mix mashed aloo,grated paneer and corn flour together. Combine well so that the contents mix homogeneously.

                              

2. Add green chili, cashew bites and raisins and combine well as shown in the pic.

3. Form cylindrical shape koftas with hand and dust them evenly in maida flour. The koftas should be uniformly coated well with flour.

                                 

4. Deep fry them in hot oil till the koftas turn golden brown. ensure the flame is medium so that the koftas do not turn black immediately.

5. Keep the koftas aside.   

                       

Assembling

1. On a plate, gently pour a ladle of the creamy gravy. Place the koftas above it.

2. Garnish with beaten fresh cream and serve them hot with Butter Naan or any other Indian Breads.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. Presence of cashew makes the gravy thick. You can adjust water accordingly to make it  a creamy consistency.Make sure you don't add much.
2. Dusting the koftas helps in uniform covering of koftas. While frying, it gives uniform coloring.

Paneer Burji - Scrambled Paneer

There is a myth among so many folks that consuming paneer can lead to weight gain which is totally false. Paneer is a major source of protein especially for vegetarians. This is a dish one must definitely include when they are on a weight loss mode. This is also good for bones strength. This is a super food that is not only tasty, but also has various health benefits. This makes you feel sumptuous and satiated quickly and is also a treat to taste buds. These are some of the sin free and guilt free indulgence that leaves you stress free while on a weight loss mode. This is easily a vegetarian substitute for scrambled egg or what is called Egg Bhurji. You can make this and stuff inside sandwich or stuff inside chapati and make paneer chapati rolls. Options are plenty with this recipe. I had made Paneer Burji Stuffed Peppers for a dinner. Check out that recipe as well:)

Serves:3

Ingredients

1. Paneer/cottage cheese - 250 gms (Grated)
2. Tomato - 2 (chopped)
3. Onion - 2 big (chopped)
4. Cumin seeds - 2 tsp
5. Oil - 1 tbsp
6. Green Chili - 1 (finely chopped)
7. Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
8. Coriander leaves - (chopped) fistful for garnishing
9. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
10. Garama masala powder - 1 tsp
11. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
12. Chat Masala - 1 tsp
13. Kashmiri red chili powder - 1 tsp
14. Needed salt

                          

                          

Method

1. Heat a pan and add oil and cumin seeds. Once cumin seeds crackle, add green chili and chopped onions and ginger garlic paste. Saute well until onions turn translucent.

2. Add tomatoes and all other powders and saute well on a low-medium flame.

3. Cover the lid and cook for 5 mins until the tomatoes are cooked well and mushy.

4. Add grated paneer to the above along with needed salt and give a nice mix.

5. Add chopped coriander for a final garnish.

6. Hot Paneer Burji is now ready to be eaten with your favorite rolls, sandwich, chapati or anything of your choice:):)

Paneer Kurchan

I saw this recipe for the first time prepared by Chef Sanjyot keer. It was so tempting and mouth watering to watch. However, I personally tasted this paneer kurchan at hotel Haven Sampoorna located at Velachery. I instantly fell in love with it. It tasted so good with phulka and naan. That is when I decided to make this at home. I referred to different recipes, finally made it in my style.This goes well with with any Indian Breads and also Pulao. The paneer is cut into long stripes and not cubes. In fact, onions and bell peppers all are cut in lengthwise. This is a semi gravy recipe.

serves:2-3

Ingredients

1. Tomato - 4 medium sized
2. Green Chili - 3
3. Onion- 2 medium sized, sliced lengthwise
4. Red Bell Pepper - 1, sliced thinly lengthwise
5. Green Capsicum - 1 ,sliced thinly lengthwise
6. Paneer/cottage cheese - 250 gms, cut into thick long strips
7. Kashmiri Red Chili Powder - 1 tbsp
8. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
9. Garam Masala - 1 tsp
10. Cumin powder - 1 tsp
11. Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
12. Jeera/cumin seeds - 1 tsp
13. Lemon - half a lemon
14. Fresh Cream-3 tbsp
15. Kasuri methi - 1 tsp
16. Fresh chopped coriander for garnishing
17. Oil - 2 tbsp
18. Salt as needed

Method

1. In a pan, add oil and cumin seeds. Once the cumin crackled, add onions and saute until they turn transparent. 

2. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute until the raw flavor goes off.

3. Add bell pepper and capsicum strips and saute for a minute.

4. Grind tomatoes and chili together. Add the ground paste to the pan.

5. Add the salt , all the powders and mix well.

6. Cover the pan with lid and simmer for 7 mins for the raw flavor of tomato paste to go off.

7. Add fresh cream and gently mix to get a creamy consistency of the tomato paste.

8. Add paneer strips and mix gently.

9. Add lime juice,crushed kasuri methi and some fresh coriander leaves.

10. Cover the lid for 3 mins on simmer and then switch off the flame. This is for the flavor to get into the paneer.

11. Serve hot with Naan, Roti or any Indian Breads.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

Kashmiri Red chili is added to give nice color to the recipe.

Shahi Pulao

I have been wanting to try this pulao for a long and was waiting for a right occasion to make it. I had invited my sis -in law and her husband for a lunch after a very long time. So I really wanted to make something special and surprise them. I was thinking hard as to what to make for rice as my husband doesn't like briyani much.As far pulao, I wanted to make sure this should be something unique and different. So this has been inspired from various recipes like mughlai pulao, jaipuri pulao and finally I devised this recipe of "Shahi Pulao".

This is highly rich in flavor,ingredients and aroma. This does not taste sweet and is a mildly spiced pulao which is made using fresh cream,Ghee,saffron milk and cashews and is truly a Royal Delight.:) The color to this pulao which you see in the picture is purely from saffron milk and I have not added any extra color.Everyone just loved this and this is sure to make your guests fall for your cooking:)

I have skipped adding paneer to it as I had already made Paneer Kurchan as one of the side dish separately on that day of lunch. 

Let's look at the preparation.

serves:3

Ingredients:

1. Basmati Rice - 1.5 cups
2. Paneer/cottage cheese-1/2 cup cubed
3. Ghee - 3 tbsp
4. Pepper powder-2 tsp
5. Garam Masala powder-1 tsp
6. Coriander powder-1 tsp
7. Saffron strands -4
8. Warm milk-1/4 cup
9. cashews and raisins -2 tbsp each
10. Coriander leaves - for garnishing
11. Salt to taste

To Grind-Shahi Paste

1. Fresh Cream - 1/4 cup
2. Green Chilies-2 (slit lengthwise)
3. Ginger - 1.5 inch with skin peeled
4. Garlic Pods-5

Masala Ingredients

1. Star anise(anaachi poo) - 2-3 
2. Cinnamon stick - 1 inch
3. Cloves - 3
4. Green Cardamom - 2
5. Black Cardamom - 2
6. Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
7. Shahi Jeera - 2 tsp
8. Bay Leaf-1 big crushed
9. Mace/Japathri -2

Vegetables Used (Can be anything of your choice)

• Beans - 6-7
• Carrot – 1
• Onions -1 medium sized
• Cauliflower florets-5-6 
• Potato-1 small

Method:

1. Rinse basmathi rice well and soak it in lukewarm water for 20-30 mins.

2. Soak the saffron strands overnight in warm milk.

3. Grind all the ingredients under "Grind" to a smooth paste and keep it ready.

4. Boil cauliflower with a pinch of salt and turmeric separately for 2 mins and then strain them. This is to get rid off worms present in the cauliflower.

5. Fry the raisins, cashews and paneer in a tbsp of ghee, gently on low flame until they turn golden brown .Keep them separately.

6. In a pan, heat ghee and add all the masala ingredients and saute for 2 mins on low-medium flame until the jeera and fennel seeds crackle completely.

7. Now, add onions and saute until the onions become transparent.

8. Now, add the shahi paste and saute until the raw flavor of ginger and garlic goes off.


9. Next, add all other vegetables(including cauliflower) to the pan and mix gently.

10. Strain the soaked basmathi rice completely and add it to the pan.

11. Add garam masala,coriander powder and pepper powder and mix evenly and gently in low flame till the rice is fully covered with masala mixture and evenly coated.

12. Now transfer the content of the pan to a vessel for pressure/electric cooking.

13. Add salt and soaked saffron milk to rice and cook the rice as mentioned here.

14.  Add the fried cashews,raisins,paneer and mix gently.

15. Garnish with tender chopped coriander leaves and some cashew-raisins.

16. Shahi Pulao is now ready to be served hot with papads or raitha.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. Use good quality saffron to get the bright golden color and aroma.
2. Adding paneer definitely adds richness to the pulao. So do not skip it:)

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

This is my easiest and most healthy option for dinner. Weekly twice, I tend to have just this salad for my dinner. It is definitely a sin free indulgence. I have used extra virgin olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar as dressing.Both these two combinations are heavenly with rich flavor and aroma that you almost travel to Italy. Know more about Balsamic Vinegar and its uses here. This has all the veggies that is sure the satisfy your taste buds as well as your hunger without gaining pounds. This is so easy to prepare. Whenever you want to detox your body with an healthy alternate, just go for it:):)

serves:2

Ingredients

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1/4 cup
2. Paneer/cottage cheese/tofu - 6-7 small cubes
3. Pineapple slices - 3 (Cubed)
4. Baby corn - 5 (sliced thinly)
5. Onion - 1 large (chopped roughly)
6. Tomato - 1 large (chopped finely)
7. Broccoli - 5-6 florets
8. Red Bell Pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big
9. yellow Bell Pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big
10. Green Capsicum - 1 small or 1/2 big
11. Balsamic Vinegar - 2 tbsp or more as per taste
12. Mixed Italian Herb Seasoning - 1 tbsp or more as per taste
13. Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Boil Broccoli and baby corn with a pinch of salt for about 2 mins. The broccoli should be semi cooked. Strain the contents and keep it aside.

2. Heat a pan and add olive oil. Add Onion and saute until transparent. Add bell peppers,capsicum,tomatoes and saute well for 2 mins.

3. Add strained baby corn and broccoli and saute well in Olive Oil. Add needed salt.

4. Add paneer and pineapple cubes and saute well.

5. Add Italian seasoning and fresh ground pepper. Saute on a medium flame for all the veggies to get cooked and soft.

7. Drizzle Balsamic vinegar in the last, raise the flame high and do a high speed saute for 2 mins. Don't take off your hand else the vegetables might be burnt. 

8. Keep on medium- high flame for about 2 mins for all the vinegar and water to be absorbed by the veggies.

9. Once done, switch off the flame. Transfer the salad to plate and serve hot:):)

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. You can add any veggies of your choice according to your taste buds. Choices like Brussels ,carrots go well with this salad.
2.  Pineapple and paneer tastes great with balsamic vinegar and hence I have used them in my salad. Off course, paneer is a great source of protein too and pineapple provides the additional sweetness and 'tanginess' that tastes great with balsamic vinegar.
3. You can use strawberries,olives or any toppings for your salad.
4. You can also add feta cheese, they taste great with balsamic vinegar.

Kaju Paneer Pulao

Finally,I come up with a very special recipe after a gap.I am sorry for posting it after a long break.This recipe is taken from Sanjeev Kapoor's kitchen Kaju Moti Pulao. I made this for dinner. It turned out really delicious. Kaju and Paneer make the richest combo in a vegetarian meal.This make a sumptuous main course. This is sure to be a feast to your taste buds. This is a very simple and rich recipe with No onion, garlic or any masala. This is so flavorful and gentle on stomach  - Sattvik Cuisine.

serves:2-3

Ingredients

1. Cashew nuts- 10
2. Paneer/Cottage Cheese-250 gms(grated)
3. Basmati rice-1.5 cups
4. Salt to taste
5. Cornflour- 3 tsp
6. Oil for frying
7. Ghee- 3 tbsp
8. Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
9. Black cardamoms- 2
10. Cloves- 2
11. Cinnamon stick-1
12. Black peppercorns- 4
13. Turmeric powder-1 tsp
14. Milk- 3 cups

Method

1. Add salt and cornflour to the grated paneer and shape into small marble-sized balls. Heat sufficient oil in a pan and deep-fry the paneer balls till golden. Drain on absorbent paper and keep it aside. In the same oil, deep-fry the cashew nuts till light golden. Drain on absorbent paper and keep it aside.

2. Heat the ghee in a non stick pan, add the cumin seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon,cloves, peppercorns and turmeric powder. Saute for one minute.

3. Drain the rice and add it to the above content. Add milk and cook the rice as mentioned here.

4. Once the rice is done, add the fried cashews and paneer balls on top and give it a gentle mixture.

4. Transfer the rice onto a serving plate, garnish with the paneer balls and serve hot.

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. You can also use coconut milk instead of normal milk. This gives additional flavor and taste.

Paneer Butter Masala

I am posting one of the most exotic dish that is very popular across India. This is one of the must items in menu card, be it any restaurants. The best pair for Butter Naan. I was planning to surprise my husband by making Butter naan and the best gravy that goes well with this is obviously Paneer Butter Masala.Though there are different methods of making this gravy, I wanted to know the authentic way of preparing it. This recipe is really what I wanted.This has been picked up from Samayal Samayal by Venkatesh Bhat. One can learn the professional way of cooking a dish from his video. I have bookmarked several of his recipes. Here am posting the most special one.

Serves:4

Ingredients

1. Paneer/Cottage Cheese-250 gms(Cubed)
2. Cashew nuts-2 tbsp
3. Banglore Tomatoes-4-5 (Medium Size)
4. Ginger Garlic Paste-2 tbsp
5. Bay leaf-2
6. Green Cardamom-3
7. Cinnamon stick-2
8. Kasuri Methi-1 tsp
9. Jeera/Cumin Powder- 1 tsp
10. Kashmiri Red chilli powder-2 tsp
11. Oil-4 tsp
12. Butter- 3 tbsp(Unsalted Cooking Butter)
13. Water-2 cups
14. Sugar- 1 tsp
15. Salt as needed

Garnishing

• Green Chili-1 (Slit)
• Fresh Cream- 1-2 tsp
• Kasuri Methi-1/2-1 tsp

Method

1. Take a pan,add water and bring the water to boiling point.

2. Add tomatoes,cashews,tsp of oil and some salt to the water,close the lid and cook for 5 mins.

3. After 5 mins, strain the concoction. Preserve the strained water as it will be used.

4. Blend the filtered-cooked tomatoes and cashews into a fine smooth paste.

5. Heat 3 tsp of oil in a pan. Add cardamom,cinnamon and bay leaf.Saute well.

6. Add ginger garlic paste to the above pan and saute nicely till the raw smell goes off.

7. Add the strained water to the above pan.

8. Add kashmiri chili powder to the above,mix everything nicely and allow it to boil.

9. Now, add the tomato cashew paste to the above pan and mix nicely.

10. Add sugar,needed salt and allow it to cook.

11. Add the butter and mix nicely.

12. Add some crushed kasuri methi leaves,jeera powder and allow it to cook on low flame.The consistency starts thickening.

13. Add the paneer cubes into the gravy and cook till the paneer becomes soft and covered in gravy sauce.

14. Garnish with fresh cream,some crushed kasuri methi and green chili.

15. Paneer Butter Masala is now ready to be served with any kind of indian flat bread.Goes well with Butter Naan.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

• Sugar is added to give the dish the required sweetness and also a glaze texture.
• Butter can be added depending on your taste and calories required.More the butter, more creamy the dish is.

Tawa Top Paneer Tikka

This is a very special dish and very close to my heart.This was the first recipe I made for my husband and indeed gained all his appreciation.His most favorite dish among all is paneer tikka.My family says that this remains my signature dish till date.Well,I am really not an expert and all.As long as people love our dish and enjoy it.. All of us are super Chefs :)!!!! I have made this in a very simple way using non-stick tawa. I have also managed to click some pictures for better understanding.Do try out this and let me know ::)!!!

Yields: 12 small tikkas

Ingredients:

1. Panneer/Cottage Cheese-200 gms *I used milk mist panneer
2. Capsicum/Bell Pepper-1 (large size Green,Red or Yellow)
3. Tomato-2 (medium sized)
4. Onion-2(medium sized)

Marinade Ingredients

1. Fresh Thick yogurt-1.5 cups
2. Besan/Gram flour-1/4 cup
3. Butter-2 tbsp
4. Turmeric - 1.5 tsp
5. Red Chili Powder - 2 tsp
6. Coriander Powde/Dhaniya - 2 tsp
7. Pani Puri Masala/ Chat Masala Powder - 2 tsp *Secret Ingredient*
8. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
9. Garam Masala-2 tsp
10. Kasuri Methi/dry fenugreek leaves - 2 tsp (Crushed)
11. Lemon extract/juice-2 tsp
12. Oil-2 tsp
13. salt to taste

Method

1. Cut the paneer into cubes as shown in the picture.Also, cut the capsicum,tomato and onion into medium sizes for skewing.

2. Roast the gram flour in butter until you get a nice nutty flavor on a medium flame.

3. Mix the roasted gram flour with all other ingredients mentioned under marinade into a smooth batter.

4. Coat the paneer and veggies with the prepared marinade.Keep it aside for 1/2 hour.

5. Heat oil in a non stick pan and place these marinated paneer and veggies on a medium flame.

6. Once they are fried on one side, flip them carefully and fry the other sides until they become nice golden brown.

7. Remove them from tawa/pan and skew it in a tooth pick.

8. Serve the paneer tikka hot with mint chutney or tomato sauce.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

Pani Puri powder is the secret ingredient that I use when I make paneer tikka. This gives a unique street food flavor that tastes magical.Alternatively, you can use a tsp of chat masala powder in the marinade.

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.