Easy Paneer Biriyani

You can easily cook a paneer biryani at home with great taste and good health.

And this is how i made it at my home.

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice-2 cups
2. Paneer cubes- 1 cup
3. Curd-1 cup
4. Onion-3 large  
5. Green chilli-2
6. Capsicum/bell pepper-1 small sized
7. Ginger garlic paste -2 teaspoon
8. Tomato-1 large sized
9. Cardamom-4-5
10. Black pepper 10-15
11. Cinnamon -2 medium sized sticks
12. Nutmeg-1
13. Cloves-2-3
14. Mint Leaves
15. Coriander leaves
16. Chilli powder 
17. Coriander powder
18. Turmeric powder
19. Pepper powder
20. Garam masala 
21. Salt to taste 
22. Ghee
23. Cashews
24. Raisins
25. Vegetable oil

Method of preparation

1. Take the curd in a bowl and add 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp pepper powder, 1 tsp coriander powder to it and blend nicely.
2. Now add in paneer cubes, one small onion and bell pepper cut into cubes to the prepared mixture.
3. Keep the contents aside for 1 hour to marinate.
4. Meanwhile,wash the rice thoroughly and Soak in water for about half an hour. 
5. Now heat a pan and fry cashew and raisins in ghee till its golden brown and keep it aside.
6. fry 1 thinly sliced onion with a pinch of salt till golden brown.
7. Take a pan and add in 5 cups of water and bring it to boil with added spices(no.9-13), green chillies and required salt. pour 1/2 lemon juice(optional) . Once water is fully boiled add in the soaked and drained rice. Cook for 15 mins in medium flame till the rice is 3/4 cooked.
8. Drain out the water from rice and let it cool down.
9. Now, heat a large pan or vessel with enough size and thick bottom. 
10. Add sufficient amounts of ghee and oil to the pan.
11. Add in ginger garlic paste and saute for 1 min then add rest of the chopped onion and cook till it becomes translucent. Don't forget to add a little bit of salt to cook onions faster.
12. Now put one chopped tomato to the pan.Cook it till tomatoes turn mashy. 
13. Add 2 tsps of chilli powder, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp of coriander powder, and 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder. Mix all masalas thoroughly with little more of salt as per your taste.wait for 1 min for masalas to cook up. 
14. Next turn is to add in the marinated paneer and veggies. Mix everything in medium flame for few seconds.
15. Pour in 2 cups of hot water and mix it well. 
16. Now layer up cooked rice over this and garnish top portion with further layers of chopped coriander leavers, mint leaves, fried cashews ,raisins and caramelised onion. pour little more of ghee.
17. Cover the pan with airtight lid and cook in low flame for about 10-15 mins.
18. Off the flame and enjoy your delicious paneer biryani wit some fresh papads, pickle and salad/raita. 

Suggestion: You can add saffron milk or turmeric water to piled rice at step 16 for a delicious and attractive looking biryani while you serve.