Paneer Pulao

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked
• 200g paneer cubes, lightly fried
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bay leaf, 1 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 2 green cardamom
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• Ghee, salt, water

Method

1. Heat ghee, add the whole spices and saute for a few seconds until fragrant.
2. Add the sliced onion and cook until golden, then stir in the ginger-garlic paste.
3. Add the drained rice and saute gently for 2 minutes so each grain gets coated in ghee.
4. Pour in water (1:1.75 ratio) and salt, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat until the rice is almost done.
5. Gently fold in the lightly fried paneer cubes in the last few minutes so they warm through without breaking, then fluff and serve hot with raita.