Paneer Biryani in Instant Pot

When you’re trying to empty your fridge and there are few odds and ends lying around, you come up with your own recipe using them, we’ve all been there. This is one such recipe and it turned out so delicious that now I make this whenever I have guests and they love it too. One of my friends loved it so much that she took the recipe from me and made it for her party and said it was a hit. Sold yet? 😀 All I’m saying is this recipe is a keeper and I wanted to share it with you guys. Also, the best part about this recipe is paneer is soaked in masala and tastes SO GOOD! Alright, here’s what you need. Oh one more thing,  I usually make it with basmati rice but could never take pictures and this time I ran out of basmati rice, so I made using regular sona masoori.

•  Basmati rice/Sona Masoori- 2 cups
• Onion(thinly sliced)- 1 big
• Tomato(chopped)- 3
• Green chilies(slit)- 3
• Paneer(cubed)- 1 cup
• Capsicum(bite size)- 1, optional
• Ginger-garlic paste- 1 tsp
• Oil+ghee- 4 tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1 tsp

Spices

• Cinnamon- 2
• Cardamom- 2-3
• Bay leaf- 2
• Cloves- 3

Masala powders

• Red chili powder- 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
• Pav bhaji masala powder- 3-4 tsp
• Garam masala- 1 tsp

• Salt- to taste, I added a little less than 1 tsp
• Cilantro- to garnish
• Water- if basmati then 3 cups, if sona masoori- a little less than 4 cups.

METHOD

1. Click on ‘saute’ mode, add oil/ghee into the innerpot, add in spices and cumin seeds, once that sizzles add onions and green chilies. Once it starts to turn soft add ginger-garlic paste and mix well.
2. Add in tomatoes and saute until it turns soft, add in capsicum(if using) and paneer.
3. Add all the masala powders, mix well and turn off the ‘saute’ mode. Add in washed and drained rice, water and salt and mix gently.
4. Add in some more oil/ghee on top and close the lid and turn the valve into ‘sealing’ and click on ‘rice’ mode
5. ‘Rice’ mode automatically sets the time so you don’t have to do anything more, just click on the it.
6. Release the pressure naturally and add in chopped cilantro and serve the rice hot with raita or chips.

Let me know if you guys try it. I hope you like it! 🙂 Check out other Instant Pot recipes here.