Paneer Biryani

Directions

  1. 1Wash the rice thoroughly.
  2. 2Soak the washed rice in water.
  3. 3Add mustard oil to a pot with curd.
  4. 4Add turmeric powder to the pot.
  5. 5Add Kashmiri chili powder to the pot.
  6. 6Add salt to the pot.
  7. 7Add coriander powder to the pot.
  8. 8Whisk all ingredients in the pot to combine, creating the marinade.
  9. 9Cut the ginger into small pieces.
  10. 10Peel garlic cloves.
  11. 11Grind ginger and garlic to make a paste.
  12. 12Add ginger-garlic paste to the marinade.
  13. 13Cut paneer into cubes.
  14. 14Add paneer cubes to the marinade.
  15. 15Mix the paneer well with the marinade.
  16. 16Place a large pot on the stove and add water.
  17. 17Add salt to the water.
  18. 18Add whole spices (cardamom, star anise, cloves, peppercorn, cinnamon, bay leaves) to the water.
  19. 19Stir the water and spices.
  20. 20Chop onions.
  21. 21Add soaked rice to the boiling water with spices.
  22. 22Slice tomatoes.
  23. 23Add mustard oil to a separate pot on the stove.
  24. 24Add whole spices to the hot oil.
  25. 25Add chopped onions to the pot and stir until translucent.
  26. 26Remove some fried onions and set aside for garnish.
  27. 27Add sliced tomatoes to the pot with onions and cook until mushy.
  28. 28Add the marinated paneer to the onion and tomato masala.
  29. 29Mix the paneer masala well.
  30. 30Add a layer of partially cooked rice over the paneer masala.
  31. 31Drizzle chili oil over the rice.
  32. 32Add fried cashews and fried onions over the rice.
  33. 33Add mint leaves over the rice.
  34. 34Add more paneer masala over the rice layer.
  35. 35Add another layer of rice.
  36. 36Smooth the rice layer.
  37. 37Drizzle more chili oil over the rice.
  38. 38Add more fried cashews and fried onions.
  39. 39Add more mint leaves.
  40. 40Add chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) as the final layer.
  41. 41Cover the pot with a lid for dum cooking.

Ingredients

  • 50 g Curd
  • 50 ml Mustard oil
  • 100 g Kashmiri chili powder
  • 30 g Turmeric powder
  • 150 g Coriander powder
  • To Taste Salt
  • 500 g Paneer
  • 100 g Ginger garlic paste
  • Rice
  • Cardamom
  • Star anise
  • Cloves
  • Peppercorn
  • Cinnamon
  • Bay leaves
  • 150 g Mustard oil for masala
  • 700 g Onions
  • 400 g Tomatoes
  • 30 g Garam masala powder
  • 50 g Kashmiri chili powder for masala
  • 20 g Turmeric powder for masala
  • 70 g Coriander powder for masala
  • Chili oil
  • Fried cashews
  • Fried onions
  • Mint leaves
  • Chopped coriander leaves

Equipment

BowlWhiskCutting boardKnifePotStoveStrainerFrying panSpoon

Tips

  • Wash the rice 3 times & soak for 30 min.
  • Cook the rice until 80% done with whole spices and salt.
  • Cook onions until translucent.
  • Cook tomatoes until mushy.
  • Add all ingredients in sequence.
  • If using chicken, cook for 15-20 min on medium heat or until cooked.
  • Layer the biryani with rice, chili oil, fried cashews, fried onions, mint leaves, and paneer masala.
  • Finish with chopped coriander leaves.