Paneer Biryani

Time 90 min

Ingredients

For gravy

Tomato 2 big size

Coconut paste 1 tsp

Smashed potato paste 1 tsp

Garam masala 1/4 tsp

Finely chopped onion 2 medium size 

Ginger garlic paste 1/2 tsp

Chopped green chilies 2

Kashmiri red chili 1 

Coriander leaves 2 tsp

Biryani masala 1/2 tsp

Red chili powder 1/4 tsp 

Ghee 2-3 tbsp

Salt to taste

Whole spices : Cumin seeds 1/4 tsp+Bay leaves 2 + Pepper corns 1/4 tsp +Cloves 3-4 +Cinnamon 2 small pieces

Paneer marination

Paneer cubes 1/2 cup

Curd  1/4 cup

Lemon juice 1/2 tsp

Garam masala 1/2 tsp

Ginger garlic paste 1/2 tsp

Red chili powder 1/4 tsp

Salt to taste

For pre rice cooking

Basmati rice 1 cup

Water 1.5 cup or less

Ghee 1 tsp

Whole spices : Bay leaves 2 + Pepper corns 1/4 tsp +Cloves 3-4 +Cinnamon 2 small pieces

Salt to taste

Method

Soak rice in water for 1 hr. Then cook rice in pressure cooker for 2 -3 whistles with bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, salt and 1 tbsp ghee till 90% rice is cooked.  After whistles, release pressure and take out rice and spread on plate. Allow it to cool. 

Mix curd, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, salt and paneer cubes. Keep it in freeze for 1 hr.

Chop tomatoes add 1/2 cup of water and cook for 10 min. Allow it to cool. Make puree in blender.

Chop lengthwise 1 big onion and fry in thick bottom pan till dark brown & crispy. Take out onion. Keep it aside.

In the same pan or different thick bottom pan, add 2 tbsp ghee, then add cumin, kashmiri chili and khada masala. After it crackles, add finely chopped onion, ginger garlic paste, coconut paste, coriander, finely chopped green chilies, red chili powder and salt. Roast for 5-6 min. Then add tomato puree mix well. Again roast for 4-5 min. switch off the flame.

Heat another thick bottom non stick sauce pan. Add ghee then add half of boiled rice, cover rice with gravy then on top of it add marinated paneer, again add remaining rice. Then sprinkle crispy brown onion. Also sprinkle melted  2 tsp of ghee from sides of pan. Cover with aluminium foil. Keep the low flame and cook for 10-12 min. Serve hot.