Paneer Biryani

# A delicious,nourishing dish prepared with cooked basmati rice,marinated paneer cubes and spices with plenty of health benefits.

Ingredients:

• Onions :4 finely sliced

• Tomatoes:3 finely sliced

• A handful of coriander

• and mint leaves.

• Kasuri methi leaves 1 tbsp

• Ginger garlic paste 1 tbsp

• Salt 1 tsp ( as required)

• Kashmiri red chilli powder 2 tsp

• Coriander powder 1 tsp

• Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

• Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

• Whole Jeera(cumin) 1 tsp

• Black pepper corns 10 numbers

• Bay leaves 2

• Cardamom 5

• Cloves 5

• Cinnamon 3 sticks

• Aniseed 1

• Cashews 12

For marination :

• Curd(yoghurt) 1 cup

• Ginger garlic paste 1/ 2 tsp

• Fried onions 1 tbsp

• Few Coriander , mint and kasuri methi leaves

• Coriander powder 1/2 tsp

• Kashmiri red chilli powder 1 tsp

• Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

• Salt 1/2 tsp

• Sugar 1/2 tsp

• Paneer ( 400 gms )cut to cubes

For cooked rice :

• basmati rice 2 1/2 cups

• Water 5 cups

• Salt 1 tsp

• Oil 1 tbsp

Step 1.

Slice 1 onion finely

Add 1 tbsp oil in a heated pan

Fry the sliced onion until it turns golden brown.

Transfer this fried onion to a plate covered with a tissue paper so that the extra oil gets absorbed.Once it cools to room temperature take it and chop it finely and keep aside. Half of this to be used for marination and other half for garnishing.

Step 2

In a bowl add the ingredients for marination and mix it well . To this add the paneer cubes , mix gently and keep aside.

Step 3

Wash the 2 1/2 cups basmati rice well and soak it in a bowl by adding required water for 20 minutes.

Step 4

Boil 5 cups of water in a pan, add 1 tsp salt along with the remaining oil used for frying the onion and bring it to boil .

Then add the soaked rice,cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes on a medium flame. The rice should be almost cooked(3/4th its consistency).

Cooking method:

Add a tablespoon ghee and a tablespoon oil to a heated pan.

To this add jeera, cardamom, cloves, crushed pepper corns, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves.

Once it starts to splutter add the sliced onions and sauté for 2 minutes till the onion becomes semi golden brown.

Add 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste and sauté for a minute until the raw smell leaves.

Add tomatoes and sauté for 4 minutes

Add coriander, mint leaves and kasuri methi leaves and sauté for 2 minutes.

Add coriander powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, salt and sauté for a minute.

Now add the marinated paneer cubes and mix gently and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the cooked rice layer by layer and mix gently..

Cover the pan with aluminium foil and cook for 5 minutes on a low flame.

Switch off the flame and let it rest on the stove for another 10 minutes.

Garnish with fried onions and roasted cashews.

Transfer to a serving bowl . Enjoy Your yummy paneer biriyani . 😋

Health benefits:

PROS :

• Rich source of carbohydrates and proteins with all essential amino acids, calcium and phosphorus.

• Best for children as it promotes growth and improve bone health.

CONS :

• portion control is essential due to high carbohydrates and fair amount of saturated fats.