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Monday, January 11, 2010

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!

9 comments:

  1. WOW!!! That is so colorful & looks perfect with that yummy paneer & corn combo..... I love it totally....

    Ash...
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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  2. I love this! I want a serving with lots and lots of yogurt!

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  3. God! That is way more beautiful than mine..Loved the idea of adding corn n bell peppers too!!! I am glad it was good...!! :)

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  4. Beautiful and elegant dish, looks fantastic..

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  5. looks colourful, pleasing and delicious!!!

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  6. Wow gorgeous rice and looks wonderful.....Loved the click...

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  7. This is my first time here...The pulao looks yummy and beautiful clicks too:)
    Cheers and Do visit,
    Rachana
    rachanakothari.blogspot.com

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  8. Wow! love the click..looks so tasty..want to give a try..

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