Paneer pulao

This pulao is similar to my peas pulao except with the addition of paneer . It is very mildly spiced and is very tasty. It hardly takes 10 minutes to prepare this pulao.Those who do not have much time to spend in the kitchen, here is a satisfying and tasty dinner idea for you.

INGREDIENTS:

• Basmati rice -1 cup
• Water - 2 cups
• Onion - 2
• Green chillies - 2
• Ginger-garlic paste -1 tsp
• Peas - 1/2 cup
• Paneer cubes - 15-20 small cubes
• Mint leaves -handful
• Coriander leaves - handful
• Lemon juice -1 tbsp
• Salt as required

For the seasoning

• Oil- 1 1/2 tbsp
• Cloves -2
• Cardamom-1
• Cinnamon-1 inch piece

METHOD:

1. Wash and soak basmati rice for 20 minutes. Drain and keep it aside.
2. Shallow fry paneer cubes in oil till golden brown. Put them in warm water with a little salt for 5 minutes. Drain and keep it aside. Cut the paneer into small cubes. (To make it visually appealing, I just placed 4-5 bigger pieces in the photo above)
3. Chop onions finely, slit green chillies.
4. Heat oil, add cloves, cinnamon and cardamom, then add finely chopped onions, green chilli and saute till onion turns transparent.
5. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for some more time.
6. Add peas, finely chopped coriander leaves, mint leaves, rice and saute for a few more seconds.
7. Add 2 cups of boiling water, lemon juice, salt required and pressure cook rice for 3 whistles.(I usually cook with a vessel inside the cooker. If you are cooking directly in the cooker, you do not have to cook for 3 whistles. Just close the cooker without the weight and cook on medium flame, once it is half cooked, stir the contents, close the cooker with weight and simmer for 4-5 minutes.)
8. Then add fried paneer cubes to the cooked rice, mix well and serve with raita or any gravy or just homemade potato chips.