Paneer Biryani

Paneer Biryani in Marathi

Time: 60 to 90 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6 persons


Ingredients:
2 cups Basmati Rice
3-4 Cardamom pods, 3-4 Bay leaves, 3-4 Cloves, 1 small Cinnamon stick
Salt to taste
Paneer Marination
250 gram Paneer
1/2 cup Yogurt
1 tsp Ginger-garlic paste
1/4 tsp Salt
Gravy
1 cup Onion, thinly sliced
5 medium Tomatoes
2 tsp Ginger-garilc paste
2 tsp Ghee
Whole Garam Masala - 2 cardamom pods, , 3-4 Bay leaves, 3-4 Cloves
1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp red chili powder
1 cup milk powder (or 1/2 cup cream) (Tip 5)
salt to taste
Approx. 3/4 to 1 cup cut vegetables (I used peas, carrot, french beans)
Other Ingredients
4 tbsp Ghee + some more ghee [its optional :) ]
1 cup thin slices of Onion, 8 to 10 Cashew nuts, 8 tp 10 Raisins
1/4 cup Mint leaves finely chopped, 1/4 cup Cilantro finely chopped
2 tsp Milk + 4 strands of Saffron (Tip 6)

Method:
Paneer
Beat the yogurt. Add ginger-garlic paste and salt. Mix well. Marinate paneer pieces in this yogurt for 30 minutes
Rice
1) Wash rice and drain the water. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Then boil 6 cups of water in a deep pot. Add cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves and salt. Wait till the water comes to a rolling boil.
Gravy
1) Blanch the tomatoes. Peel the tomatoes. Chop the tomatoes coarsely.
2) Heat 2 tsp Ghee into a pan. Add whole garam masala and saute for few seconds. Add ginger garlic paste and onion. Saute onion until golden brown. Now add chopped tomatoes and saute until tomato becomes mushy. Add red chili powder.
3) Let the mixture cools off. Puree into a blender (Don't add water)
4) Heat 2 tbsp Ghee. Fry cashews and raisins. Remove them with slotted spoon. Add the prepared puree in the ghee. Simmer over medium heat. Add cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and milk powder. Also add vegetables. Mix well and cook for few minutes until gravy become thick. Add salt to taste. The consistency of the gravy should not be too runny or too thick (Tip 1). Once the gravy is thick enough, add marinated paneer. Cook for few minutes.
Fried Onion
Deep fry 1 cup onion slices into ghee or oil until crispy. This fried onion is for decoration.
Biryani (Tips 2,3,4)
Once Rice and gravy is ready, divide rice into 4 equal portions and gravy into 3 equal portions. In a deep nonstick pan, spread 1 tbsp melted ghee at the bottom. Then layer 1 portion of rice. Spread 1 portion of gravy. Sprinkle mint leaves, cilantro, 3-4 cashews and raisins. Complete all the layers accordingly. Sprinkle remaining cashews, fried onion, raisins and milk + saffron on the top layer of the rice
Cover the pan with a tight lid. Cook the Biryani for 15 to 20 minutes over low heat.
Serve the biryani with Raita.

Tips:
1) Consistency of the gravy should not be runny. Thin gravy makes the biryani mushy.
2) The last part of steaming can be done in the oven. Preheat the oven at 250 F. Then make the layers in a baking pan. Cover tightly with a oven proof lid or aliminum foil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
3) If you dont have nonstick pan, use a heavy bottom pan. Do not put this pan directly on the flame. Place a tawa on the flame and put the pan on the tawa. it will avoid burning.
4) Ghee can be added in each layer according to your preference.
5) Try to use milk powder. It quickly gives thickness to the gravy. If using cream, stir nicely until it blends well in the gravy.
6) Saffron can be replaced by edible saffron color.