Matar Paneer Biryani Recipe With Basic Spices
Make a flavorful Matar Paneer Biryani Recipe at home with soft paneer, peas, and fragrant rice cooked in a simple, tasty way.
Ingredients
For The Rice Layer
- 2 cups long-grain basmati rice washed and soaked 20 minutes
- 4 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- 2 green cardamom pods
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- Salt to taste
For The Paneer & Peas Masala
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp green chilli paste
- 1 cup paneer cubes cottage cheese
- 1 cup boiled green peas
- 1 cup readymade tomato puree
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves crushed
- 2 tbsp fresh cream
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt as needed
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
Instructions
Step 1: Cook The Rice
- In a pot, bring water to a boil with bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and salt.
- Add the soaked rice and cook until it reaches 80% doneness. The grains should still have a little bite.
- Drain gently and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare The Paneer & Peas Masala
- Heat oil and ghee in a non-stick pan on medium flame.
- Add onions and cook until soft and lightly golden.
- Mix in ginger-garlic paste and green chilli paste. Keep stirring.
- Add tomato puree, chilli powder, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cook until the masala releases aroma and thickens slightly.
- Add paneer cubes and boiled peas. Mix gently so the paneer doesn’t break.
- Add cream and crushed dried fenugreek leaves.
- Keep the flame low and let it cook for a few minutes until the gravy settles.
- Finish with chopped coriander.
Step 3: Layer The Biryani
- In a heavy pot, spread a thin layer of rice.
- Add a layer of the paneer-peas curry.
- Add another rice layer.
- Repeat until everything is used.
- Cover the pot tightly and cook on low heat for 12–15 minutes.
Step 4: Serve
- Gently fluff the biryani with a fork. You’ll notice a warm aroma rising from the mix of rice, paneer, peas, and Indian spice powders. Serve hot.
- If you enjoy rice dishes like this, you may also like my Andhra Style Veg Pulao Recipe.