RecipeReplica: Paneer and Mixed Veggie Pilaf

I am always partial to Pilaf because of its multi-dimensional appeal -color, taste, fragrance. When I came across Rohini's innovative Paneer Pulav recipe, I just had to give it a try. I tweaked the recipe a bit, added some colorful vegetables  and it debuted on Thanksgiving day. It was love at first chomp for me and my guests. Thanks Rohini and Welcome back. I hope you had fun in India.

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice - 1 cup, soaked for 30 minutes in cold water prior to cooking
• Mini Peppers - 2 each of Red, Orange, Yellow, julienned
• Cubanelle Pepper - 1, julienned
• Paneer - 1/2 cup, cut into 1" inch chunks
• Red Onion - 1, medium, vertically slit
• Tomato - 1, cubed
• Mint Leaves + Corainder Leaves - 1 cup, finely chopped
• Green Chilli - 4
• Cinnamon - 1/2 stick
• Cloves - 3
• Cardamom - 1
• Cracked pepper - 6 peppercorns, coarsely ground
• Marati Moggu(Dried Capers) - 1
• Bay Leaf - 1
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
• Mango Powder(Amchoor) - 1/2 tsp
• Olive Oil - 3 tbsp
• Water - 1 1/2 cups
• Salt for taste
• Saffron - a pinch, soaked in a bit of milk (optional)

Procedure:

• Coarsely powder the dry spices- cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, cracked pepper either in a blender or mortar/pestle and set aside.
• Brown the paneer cubes in a tbsp of olive oil and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• Grind the ginger, garlic, red onion, tomato, green chillies, cilantro and mint with little water.
• In a wide thick bottomed pan, heat the oil,add the ground dry spices and bay leaf.
• Add the cut vegetables, fry them for a minute and pour the ground paste.
• Add the Garam masala and Mango Powder and gently mix.
• Close the lid and let it cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the soaked rice followed by 1 1/2 cups of water.
• Sprinkle salt and gently stir taking care not to break the rice.Close the lid and cook on a low flame for 8-10 minutes.
• Throw in the browned paneer cubes and cook for a couple more minutes.
• Pour the soaked saffron strands and gently mix.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot with cold Onion Raita or by itself.

Makes 2 servings.

Enjoy!