This vegetable pulao with paneer is a perfect one-pot meal packed with spices, fresh veggies, and soft paneer cubes. It’s a great lunchbox idea or a quick dinner recipe that everyone will love!
Ingredients for Paneer Pulao
For the Rice:
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 cardamom pods
- 2 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ inch lemon slice (optional)
For the Pulao:
- 200g paneer (cubed)
- 1 carrot (chopped)
- 6 beans (chopped)
- 1 potato (cubed)
- ¼ cup green peas
- ½ cup cauliflower / broccoli florets
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 1 tomato (chopped)
- 6 green chilies
- 1-inch ginger
- 5 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup coriander leaves
- ¼ cup mint leaves
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Spices:
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp garam masala
For Garnishing:
- 10 cashews
- 15 raisins
- 1 tbsp ghee
Step-by-Step Paneer Pulao Recipe
1. Cook the Rice
- Rinse and soak basmati rice for 20 mins.
- In a pot, boil 4 cups of water with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaf, salt, and lemon.
- Add rice and cook until 80% done. Drain and set aside.
2. Fry the Paneer
- Heat butter in a pan, lightly fry paneer cubes for 2 mins. Remove and set aside.
3. Prepare the Masala Paste
- Grind green chilies, ginger, garlic, coriander, mint, and curry leaves into a paste with little water.
4. Cook the Pulao
- Heat oil in a deep pan, sauté onions until golden.
- Add the ground paste and sauté for 2 mins.
- Add coriander powder, turmeric, black pepper, and garam masala. Mix well.
- Add tomatoes and cook until soft. Stir in 1 tbsp yogurt.
- Add 2 cups water, bring to a boil.
- Add chopped veggies (carrot, beans, potato, peas, cauliflower) and salt. Cover & cook for 5-7 mins.
- Once veggies are tender, add fried paneer and mix gently.
- Layer the cooked rice on top, cover, and simmer for 5 mins on low flame.
5. Garnish & Serve
- Heat ghee in a small pan, fry cashews & raisins until golden.
- Fluff the pulao gently, garnish with fried nuts and fresh coriander.
- Serve hot with raita or pickle!
Why You’ll Love This Paneer Pulao
✔ One-Pot Wonder – Easy to make with minimal cleanup.
✔ Rich in Protein & Veggies – Perfect balanced meal.
✔ Great for Lunchboxes – Stays fresh and flavorful.
Try this restaurant-style paneer pulao at home and enjoy a burst of flavors!
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