For the third and final day of making Rice Dishes, I have a layered Biryani. The clause of the theme was to cook Rice dishes in three different ways. As I said I do make these one-pot meals, mixed rice, and layered biryanis quite often. Only I didn't plan it properly and ended up making some in the same method and then later changed it to different themes.
Only a week back I realized that I still have to cook one type. Luckily it turned out that I had another rice dish done and this biryani planned for the weekend. I announced to all that I was going to be making biryani with Paneer. Kids were, of course, overjoyed hearing it and on hubby dear, on the other hand, told me that he will eat out. I was two minds to change the menu, however, I had to make it for the theme and so there was no going back on the plans.
However after the high drama, Hubby dear said he will have this for lunch after seeing how inviting the plate looked. He said had he knew I was making the Nawabi Biryani style, he would have not planned out. Until that moment I had no name for this dish. In fact, I didn't realize I was making this biryani somewhat similar to this Nawabi Chicken Biryani style until he pointed out.
So I am calling it Nawabi Paneer Biryani. I do not claim that the Nawabi cuisine has this recipe, I am just going by the original recipe calling for all spices, curds, and nuts. The biryani was so delicious and I know I will be repeating this soon.
Nawabi Style Paneer Biryani
Ingredients Needed
For the Rice
Basmati Rice - 2 cups
Shah Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Bay Leaf - 2
Clove - 2
Cinnamon - 2
Green Chilies - 2 nos
Onions - 1 medium
Ghee - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Water - 2.5 cups
For the Gravy
Homemade Paneer - 500 gms
Red Chili powder - 1.5 tsp
Garam Masala - 3/4 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Curd - 1 cup
For Assembling
Deep fried Onions / Browned Onions - 1 big
Roasted Cashews
Coriander leaves handful
How to make the Nawabi Paneer Biryani
Deep fry onions till brown, keep it aside.
For the Rice
Wash and soak the rice for 20 mins. In a nonstick pan, heat ghee, add all the whole spices, saute. Then add the slit green chilies, onions and fry well.
Once the onions turn colour, add drained rice and salt. Saute for 2 mins. Then add water and bring to boil. Simmer and let it get cooked well.
For the Gravy
Cube the paneer pieces. In a nonstick pan, heat ghee, add the paneer and all spice powders, combine. Cook for 5 mins.
Then add the curds and combine. Let it simmer for 5 mins.
For Assembling
From the rice pan, remove half the cooked rice. Fluff well and layer with the paneer gravy.
Cover with the remaining rice layer.
Top it with browned onions, coriander leaves, and cashews. Layer again with rice. Top this with coriander leaves and cashews.
If the rice is well cooked, you can simply cover this with a lid and heat over a pan for 15 mins. Else sprinkle 2 tbsp milk over the rice and cover and Dum cook
Serve with raitha.
Notes:
While serving remember to scoop down so that you get the layers.
If you want your rice not to end up mushy, remember to add 1/2 cup less when cooking rice and add milk when doing the Dum process.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM
Sarita says
What a flavorful paneer biryani! Looks very yummy.. Inviting everyone to your home.
Priya Suresh says
Omg, wat a feast yaar, irresistible paneer briyani, feel like inviting myself to ur place.
vaishali sabnani says
Excellent Biryani, even I have one coming up..but this looks terribly tempting.
Sowmya :) says
This biryani is so tempting...and the name is apt, it does look like a Royal lunch. I always end up making paneer as a side dish for rotis...this biryani is bookmarked.
Amelie Moore says
Nawabi Paneer Biryani..The name itself is so mouthwatering that i cannot stop imagining its wonderful taste and delicious flavour...I have never tried making Biryani before, but I am really excited to try this one..
Smruti Shah says
That is a wonderful biryani Valli. I love the way you showed the steps in pictures 🙂
Pavani N says
Nawabi paneer biryani sounds so exotic and delicious. Bookmarked it right away Valli. I'm going to try this recipe very soon.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
wow yummmm. Biryani with paneer great pick. love the step by step clicks
Varadas Kitchen says
Another awesome dish with paneer. I am putting it on my list to try.
Gayathri Kumar says
The biryani looks so rich and amazing. Any dish with paneer is so welcome at my home...
Archana Potdar says
Delicious biryani. Apeksha will love it.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
What a rich and flavorful Biriyani! Loving it...
Alboni - Boni's Healthy Twists says
Good presentation wow biriyani !!!