Paneer Biryani

September 26, 2016 Biryani/PulaoLunch Box MenuPaneer DishesRice Varieties  7 comments

I love Biryani, especially Paneer Biryani. It is a festive meal for almost all vegetarians. This Paneer Biryani is a simple one pot meal made in a pressure cooker. Unlike the normal Veg Biryani there is not much chopping work or grinding involved here. The only step that u have to plan ahead is to marinate the paneer. I usually make Biryani during weekends. It is an easy lunch box option to make during weekdays too.

Now to the recipe…

 

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[Preparation Time-10 mins : Cooking Time- 30 mins : Marination Time – 30 mins]

Ingredients:

  • Basmati Rice – 1 cup
  • Water – 1 & 1/2 cups
  • Onion – 3 (large) + 1 (small)
  • Tomato – 1 (optional)
  • Oil + ghee – 3 tbsp
  • Cloves – 4
  • Cardamom – 1
  • Bay Leaf – 1
  • Star anise – 1
  • Salt – as needed
  • Chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Biryani masala powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Coriander leaves – handful

To Marinate:

  • Paneer – 1/2 cup (cubed)
  • Thick Curd – 1/2 cup
  • Salt – little bit
  • Turmeric powder – a pinch
  • Chilli powder – 1 /2 tsp
  • Garam masala – 1/2 tsp
  • Ginger garlic paste – 1/2 tsp
  • Mint leaves – few (I have used 1/2 tsp of dry mint)
  • Black pepper powder – 1/4 tsp

 

Paneer Biryani_0633 (2)

 

Method:

  • Take a wide bowl and add the thick curd. I used greek yogurt. If u dont have greek yogurt just use fresh curd. Beat it well and add all the ingredients mentioned under “To marinate” except paneer to the curd. Meanwhile cube the paneer into pieces and keep it ready.

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  • Mix the paneer and curd mixture well so that all the paneer pieces are well coated with the marinate. Keep it aside for atleast 30 mins. Slice the onions lengthwise. Heat a pressure pan with oil and add the sliced onions.

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  • Saute the onion in low-medium flame until it turns golden brown. Keep it aside. In the same oil add cloves, cardamom, bay leaf and star anise. Saute until u get a nice aroma. Add roughly chopped onions and saute until transparent. (This step is purely optional – U can skip if u dont want)

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  • Add chopped tomato followed by salt, chilli powder and biryani masala powder. Add the marinated paneer mixture and the basmati rice.

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  • Add required water, mix well and check for salt. Finally add the browned onions, coriander leaves and pressure cook in low flame until u get 1 whistle. This might take upto 12 – 15 mins. Switch off the flame. Once the pressure releases, fluff it up with a fork.

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Thats it!! Paneer Biryani is ready!!

Serve hot with raita!!

 

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Tips:

  1. Marinating the paneer pieces gives a nice flavour. If u are in a hurry u can skip the marination part and add the curd mixture + paneer separately to the onion tomato base and continue with the rest of the process.
  2. Add salt and chilli powder carefully as we are adding it at 2 stages.
  3. The browned onions give a very good flavour to the Paneer Biryani. Do not skip it.
  4. I have used dried mint leaves in the marination. U can use fresh ones if u have.
  5. U can add other veggies along with paneer too. But we preferred it this way.

 

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7 comments to Paneer Biryani

  • Veena Theagarajan  says:

    looks so perfect.. I just finished my lunch but I am hungry now

  • marudhuskitchen  says:

    paneer biriyani looks excellent…yumm

  • Priya Santhamohan  says:

    Wow!Biryani with paneer,yummy combo.

  • Nalini somayaji  says:

    Wow lovely biriyani..love to have a plateful…simply yummy paneer biriyani…

  • sudha  says:

    a different biryani recipe………looks awesome.

  • shobha  says:

    wow biryani my fav….. & with paneer awesome.

    happy navratri.

  • Nethra Srinivas  says:

    Looking yummy…. my son like paneer very much… I definitely try this recipe….

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