Paneer Biryani

Recipe Type: Indian                                                         Yield: 4
Preparation Time: 20 mins                                               Cooking Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:
250g paneer
2 big onions
2 tomatoes
2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp coriander powder
3 tsp chilly powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
3 tsp salt
1 cup of chopped coriander leaves
1 cup of oil
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 big cardamom
1 anise
2 green cardamom
2 small cinnamon sticks
3 cloves
2 tbsp of curd
2 bay leaves
2 cups of half an hour soaked basmati rice
5 cups of water
1/4 cup cashew nuts
8 saffron
1/4 cup of milk
2 tsp of ginger, garlic paste

Method:
1. In a bowl add turmeric powder, 2 tsp chilly powder, 1 tsp of salt, cumin powder, coriander powder. Mix well. Now add chopped paneer for marination. Keep aside for 15 mins.

2. Heat a pan. Pour water, 2 tsp of oil, 1 tsp of salt and 2 cups of soaked basmati rice. 

Keep aside after rice is cooked.

3. Heat milk and add saffron. Keep aside for 10 mins.

4. Heat a sauce pan. Pour 3/4 cup of oil. Deep fry slices of 1 big onion. Separately fry cashew nuts.

5. Heat a pan. Pour 3 tsp of oil. Add cumin seeds, anise, cloves, big cardamom, cinnamon sticks, and 2 green cardamom. Fry for 20 seconds.

6. Add ginger and garlic paste.  Add onion and fry till it becomes transparent.

7. Add chopped tomatoes. Fry for 2 mins. Put 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of chilly powder. Fry for one minute.

8. Now add marinated paneer and one cup of water. Allow to cook for 10 to 15 mins.

9. Prepare dry paneer masala.

10. Now heat another pan. Add 3 tsp of oil.
11. Put one layer of cooked rice.

12. Next layer put 3 tsp of saffron milk. Add fried cashew nuts and deep fried onions.

13. Now spread paneer masala and chopped coriander leaves.

14. Repeat steps 11 to 13.

15. Cover pan with a lid and cook for 15 mins.