Paneer Biryani Recipe Biryani is a delicious and beloved dish from the Indian subcontinent that combines fragrant rice with flavorful spices, meat or vegetables. One popular variation of biryani is paneer biryani, which uses cubes of soft and creamy paneer cheese instead of meat as the main ingredient.
Paneer itself is made from curdling milk with lemon juice or vinegar to create a soft and versatile cheese that's perfect for absorbing flavors. When cooked in a biryani, it becomes rich and savory while still maintaining its tender texture.
Here is a simple recipe for making paneer biryani at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 200g paneer, cubed
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 3 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- A pinch of saffron threads (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Oil for cooking
Spices:
- 1 cinnamon stick
-4 cloves
-3 cardamom pods
-½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions:
1. Rinse rice in cold water until it runs clear then soak them in cold water for about half hour.
2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds followed by cinnamon stick ,cloves ,cardamom pods,turmeric powder add onion cook till golden brown .
3. Add ginger-garlic paste followed by green chilies stir well.
4.Add tomato stir well add salt cook till mushy approximatley five minutes .
5.Drain the soaked rice and add them to the pan along with enough water to just cover the grains.
6.Mix everything together very gently without breaking any grain of rice put on low flame let it cook covered.
7.In another pan fry Paneer cubes till light golden brown and keep aside.
8. Once the rice is cooked, add fried Paneer cubes mix gently
9. If desired add a pinch of saffron with one tablespoon milk to garnish
10.Paneer biryani is ready to serve.
Paneer biryani is a delicious option for vegetarians or those who want to reduce their meat intake but still crave the rich flavors of biryani. This recipe can be easily customized by adjusting the spices and adding any additional vegetables you may like, such as peas or carrots. Serve with raita or yogurt on the side for a refreshing contrast to the spicy dish. Enjoy!