Paneer Biryani

My Hubby wanted to have Paneer for a long time. And this was the first time I tried a recipe with Paneer. As my hubby loves biryani a lot thought will make Paneer Biryani.

Inorder to get the ingredients I made my hubby walk in the scotching sun to the nearest super market. But the end result came out really yummy and the paneer were crispy to eat.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup Rice
2 Cloves
1 Small Star Anise
1 Onion
1 Tomato
2 tbs Butter
1 tbs Cumin Powder
1 tbs Coriander Powder
Required Salt
3 tbs curd

To Grind - I:

4 Small Onions
1 inch Ginger
4 Garlic Pods
2 tbs Coconut
3 Green Chillies
2 cloves
1 Small piece Star anise

To Grind II:

Handful Corriander leaves
2 tbs Curd


To Paneer:

2 tbs Butter
1 Cup Paneer
1 tbs Cumin Powder
1 tbs Coriander Powder
1 tbs Red chilli powder
2 tbs Curd
Required Salt
1/4 tsp Turmeric

Method:

• Cut the onion lengthwise and finely chop the tomato.
• Except butter add the above said 'To Paneer' ingredients and mix well. Let it rest for another 20mins till the rice gets cooked.
• In a cooker add 2 tbs of  butter, add the cloves and star anise. Add the onions and tomato and fry till the raw smell goes. Grind the ingredients in 'To Grind - I' and add to the mixture. 
• Add the cumin and corriander powder.
• Grind the corriander leaves along with curd, do not add water. After grinding add another 3 tbs of curd and whip thereby the mixture is completely mixed.
• Add them to the cooker and saute them for a minute.
• To it add the rice and saute for a minute and add required water, salt.
• Pressure cook the rice for 3 whistles.
• In a non stick pan, add butter and the soaked paneer cubes. Fry them till they are golden brown and crispy.
• Add the panner to the rice and close the lid for a minute, thereby the flavour gets blended. Yummy Briyani ready. Serve with your favorite Raitha.

Note:

• It takes about 3-4 minutes for the paneer to get crispy. Paneer would taste delicious to have it as such. The paneer will be crispy if added to the rice at the end.
• You can also add Pudina along with corriander leaves. Try with Basmathi rice, as I was doing it for the first time I did not want to take a risk :). But later felt it would have tasted heavenly with basmati rice.