HARA Pudina Pulav - Pulao| Green Mint rice |Paneer pudina Biryani

I was bored of eating the normal vegetable pulao hence decided to prepare this colourful green paneer pudina pulao/biryani.....I added paneer cubes since I had got a fresh stock of paneer. Believe me the end product was amazing......This is easy to prepare dish & good option for lunchboxes or kids tiffin (khaucha dabba).

Moreover you can change the veggies depending on the availability in your fridge.

I often make this green pulao which is a twist from regular pulao.

INGREDIENTS :

Basmati rice  1 cup 

Cauliflower (cut into small pieces) 1/2 Cup

Green peas - 1/2 cup

Thinly sliced Carrot  1

Thinly sliced beans- 4-5

Paneer cubes - cup

Thinly sliced onions 2 

Thinly sliced green chilli 2 

Vegetable oil/ghee  4 tbsp

Salt to taste  

Garam Masala Powder / Biryani masala - 1 tsp

Cashews/almonds ( kaju/badam) - 8-10

PASTE TO GRIND IN MIXIE

Green Coriander(Kothimbir/cilantro) leaves 1 cup

Mint (pudina) leaves - 1 cup

Green chillies - 2-3 (Add more if u prefer spicy food)

Ginger half inch

Garlic cloves - 2-3

  

WHOLE SPICES (KHADA MASALA)

Cinnamon  2 sticks

Cloves  2-3

Black pepper 7-8

Bay leaves 2-3 

Green cardamom  2    
Black cardamon-1
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp 

   

METHOD:

1. Wash basmati rice & drain it for atleast 15-20 minutes.
2. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan. Fry paneer cubes till golden brown .keep aside.
3. Next add sliced onions & fry them with pinch of salt till brown (the way we prepare for biryani).
4. Fry  chopped cashew & almonds till brown.
5. Add  green chillies and fry till pink. Keep this aside.
6. Grind coriander,mint,garlic & ginger to fine paste in mixie.
7. Keep 2 cups of water to boil on gas.
8. Add rest of the oil/ghee in kadai fry bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper for 1/2 minute on medium heat.
9. Next fry all the vegetables for 4-5 minutes. This adds taste to pulao. 
10. Add fried paneer cubes
11. Add green paste prepared in step 5 & stir 
12. Add the half fried onions, garam masala/biryani masala and salt. Stir and then fry it for 5 minutes. 
13. Add washed rice & stir for 2 minutes.Next add boiling water mix well & Cook on medium heat. Stir rice once while its getting cooked.
14. Once water is absorbed cover with lid & let it cook for 5-8 minutes.
15. Remove lid & check if rice is done.next switch off gas.
16. Green spicy pulao is ready to serve. Decorate with chopped almonds & cashewnuts
17. Serve with raita of your choice & masala-papad.
    
     
    
    Tip :
    
    1.Add blanched spinach (palak) while making the green paste for a healthier version. 2.Choose vegetables as per your choice.
    3 You can even marinate the veggies for half hour in the green paste with 1/2 cup yogurt before making pulao
    4.Add raisins to above pulao along with dry fruits