Paneer Pulao | Mixed Veg Pulao | Quick Lunch Box Ideas

Every day, I know moms are busy stressing themselves to find out what's for lunch box tomorrow for kids? I totally understand the plight as am a mom of two kids. My kids are not very picky to eat, and they only demand variety in their lunch boxes. Paneer is loved by my kids always, and invariably it's paneer butter masala which they love the most. Oh! I remember now, I haven't posted paneer butter masala still?? Usually it's my mistake that the dish which I make frequently never makes to the blog, simple reason is I keep postponing clicking pics. Anyway, hopefully will post soon.

 Paneer pulao is another interesting protein packed pulao that simply needs no accompaniment. In case you need a side dish with this then try on with some simple raitha which will suffice. Doesn't it sound delicious and make you happy when you have a vegetable and paneer mixed pulao? My kids definitely loved biting through the small cubed paneer pieces in the pulao, and so I make this pulao often. Try this out for your little ones, adjust the spices if you wish to make it more spicy as I always end up making mild pulao esp when it comes to their lunch boxes. Enjoy !!

Preparation time~ 20 mins
Cooking time ~ 25-30 mins
Serves ~ 4-5
Ingredients
basmati rice / jeerakashala rice 1.5 cups
water 2.5 cups if basmati and 3 cups if jeerakashala
paneer /cottage cheese 200 gms
carrot 1 big; chopped small
dry peas 1/3 cup
onion sliced thin 1 big
ginger 1 small piece
garlic 3-4 cloves
turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
chilly powder 1/2 tsp
coriander powder 2tsp
garam masala 1 tsp
curry leaves, a sprig
mint leaves 2tsp chopped
salt to taste
oil 3 tbsp

to garnish
cashews 2 tsp
raisins 2 tsp
ghee/oil 1 tsp

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Method

• Wash the paneer under running water if using store brought paneer and cut in cubes. If using homemade paneer, then cut in cubes. Heat a pan, add oil and lightly fry the cubed paneer by adding a pinch of salt and turmeric powder (omit if you don't like frying, add just like that). Drain on a plate and keep aside.
• In the same left over oil, add sliced onions. Sauté until lightly wilted, then add ginger-garlic paste.Then add veggies (peas and carrot), sauté lightly.
• Add in the spice powders, sauté until the raw smell disappears on low flame. Add 1/4 cup water and cook for 3 mins. Then add the required water (as listed) with salt. Let it come to boil, check taste and add salt. Add the rice(I have used jeerakashala rice) and mix well.
• Pressure-cook for one whistle or in a pan cook covered till 3/4th of rice is cooked.Slide in the fried paneer cubes. Cook covered again till the moisture is completely dried up.Finally, garnish with curry leaves and mint leaves.
• In another pan, add oil/ghee and fry the cashews, followed by raisins. Pour over the cooked pulao, mix and enjoy just like that or with a simple raitha.

NOTES
* I haven't' added any whole garam masala to this pulao, as kids don't like whole spice pieces in their rice. Add a small piece of cinnamon, 2-3 cloves, one bay leaf and 2 cardamom for extra flavor if desired.
* Don't forget to wash the store brought paneer, as it has a sour flavor of vinegar predominant.

*You can even add chopped beans, cauliflower too to this pulao.
*Omit the pudina leaves if you don't like the flavor.
* You can even use fresh green peas for a better taste.

You may also like these-
* Homemade Paneer
* Homemade Mawa
* Palak-Paneer masala
* Spinach Paneer Stir fry
* Paneer lababdar
* Mushroom Paneer Pulao