Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare Paneer

   Place 250 grams of paneer cubes into a bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Mix well with your hands until the paneer is evenly coated with the spices.

2. 2.Fry Paneer

   Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil in a pan. Once hot, carefully place the seasoned paneer cubes into the pan. Fry for about 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown. Remove the fried paneer from the pan and set aside.

3. 3.Fry Cashews

   In the same pan with the remaining ghee/oil, add 10 cashews. Fry until they turn golden brown. Remove the cashews and set aside.

4. 4.Sauté Whole Spices

   Add 2 tablespoons of ghee to the pan (if needed, or use the remaining from frying). Once the ghee melts, add 2 bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 3 cardamom pods, 4 cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of whole pepper, and 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. 5.Sauté Onions, Green Chilies, Ginger Garlic

   Add 1 sliced onion to the pan and sauté until it turns light golden. Then, add 3 green chilies and 1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste. Continue to sauté until the raw smell of the ginger garlic paste disappears.

6. 6.Add and Sauté Vegetables

   Add 5-6 chopped green beans, 1 diced carrot, and 1/4 cup of fresh peas to the pan. Sauté the vegetables for about 2 minutes.

7. 7.Add Powdered Spices

   Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of garam masala to the vegetables. Mix well and sauté for another minute to cook the spices.

8. 8.Add Rice, Water, and Salt

   Add 2 cups (400 grams) of basmati rice (soaked for 20 minutes and drained) to the pan. Pour in 3 cups of water and add approximately 1.5 teaspoons of salt. Stir gently to combine. Taste the water; it should be slightly saltier than desired for the final dish.

9. 9.Cook the Pulao

   Cover the pan with a lid and cook until all the water is absorbed and the rice is fully cooked. If using a pressure cooker, cook for one whistle on medium heat.

10. 10.Add Fried Paneer, Cashews, Herbs

    Once the rice is cooked and most of the water has evaporated, add the fried paneer cubes, fried cashews, chopped mint leaves, and chopped coriander leaves on top of the rice. Cover the pan again.

11. 11.Final Ghee and Mix

    Let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. Open the lid, add 1 teaspoon of ghee, and gently fluff the pulao with a spoon to combine all the ingredients. Serve hot.