Matar Paneer Pulao

Prep time: 20 mins I Cooking time: 30 mins I Serving: 3 - 4

Ingredients :-

1 cup / 250 gms of Basmati rice (biryani rice)

1 ½ cup / 350 ml Water (for soaking)

150 gms Fresh Paneer / cottage cheese (cut into 1 inch cubes)

150 gms Green Peas (frozen / fresh)

3 Onions medium sized, sliced

2 tbsp fresh Coriander, chopped

10 -12 Cashew Nuts

1 tbsp Red Chilli Powder (or to taste)

1 tbsp Coriander Powder

Salt to Taste

4 tbsp / 60 ml Desi Ghee /Clarified Butter

1 tbsp Veg Oil

1 ½ cup / 350 ml Water

Whole spices :- 5-6 Black Peppercorns

1 tbsp Cumin seeds

1 Black Cardamom

4-5 Cloves

2 Bay Leaf

Method :-

In a large bowl add rice and water, wash 2-3 times until water gets clear and soak the rice in 1 ½ cup of water for next 20 minutes

In a non stick pan heat 1 tbsp of oil on low flame

To the pan add the paneer cubes and cashews and sauté it for 4-5 minutes until it turns to light golden in colour. Keep changing the sides to avoid burning. Once done, switch off the flame and transfer it to a plate. keep aside, covered for later use

Take a pressure cooker, turn on the flame (medium heat) and to the cooker add ghee/ clarified butter

Once the ghee is hot add peppercorns, cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaves and cardamom. Stir until starts spluttering

To the cooker add the sliced onions and stir for next 8-10 minutes on medium heat until the colour changes to light golden brown

To the cooker add peas and stir for next 2-3 minutes on medium heat

Next add salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder and mix it well

To the cooker add fried paneer and cashew nuts and mix gently

Add chopped fresh coriander and mix it

Next discard the soaked water and to the cooker add the soaked rice. Mix the rice with the masala gently

Add water to the same bowl with the marinated leftover masala and then add that water to the pressure cooker. Mix gently

Once it starts boiling, close the pressure cooker and cook it on medium heat for 3 whistles.

After 3 whistles, turn off the gas, let it cool down and let the pressure release naturally. Do not open the pressure cooker immediately

Once the complete pressure is released, open the lid and using a fork / spatula, separate the cooked rice gently.

Time To Taste :)

Serve with raita/papad