Plan this for your weekday lunch, Sunday brunch, or even your next weekend party and serve it with raita to your family and guests, and it will be an instant hit.
Among the traditional dishes, biryanis hold a special place. Veggies add color and nutrition to this dish, while basmati rice adds structure and flavor. Spices bring out the real essence of this traditional recipe which is cooked in an Instant pot or over a stovetop. This Pressure cooker Paneer Biryani recipe is also prepared with long grain Basmati rice, layered with a myriad of vegetables, and flavored with whole spices that make this dish magically delicious! The succulent pieces of paneer add protein and taste to the biryani. The difference in preparing this recipe is that it is cooked in an Instant pot, unlike the dum method over a cooktop (although you can cook this recipe over a cooktop as well). This Dum Paneer Biryani recipe is subtly flavored and mildly spiced and carries a variety of textures imparted by the veggies, paneer, and other ingredients.
Straightforward and the quickest recipe Flavor-packed, nutritious, and wholesome Authentically flavored and aromatic Gluten-free and vegetarian Can be turned vegan An appetizing family favorite!
The best part is that you can pack paneer biryani in the lunch box and treat your kids to a nutritious and healthful meal. Paneer — This is the star ingredient of this beautiful recipe of Paneer Biryani. You can use homemade paneer or the store-bought one. If you want it vegan, you can swap paneer with tofu. Onion and garlic — The aromatic squad that renders delicious flavors to the recipe. You can skip adding the garlic if you want. Vegetables — A medley of colorful vegetables can be added to the Paneer Dum Biryani for increased nutrition and flavor. I have used diced bell peppers and green beans in this recipe. Cauliflower, mushrooms, corn, beans, and carrots are some of the prevalent choices. However, you can use any other veggies of your choice. Water — Water or vegetable stock is added for cooking the biryani. Ghee — Homemade ghee is best for this recipe as it adds a nutty flavor and an enticing aroma to Paneer Biryani. However, you can replace ghee with any neutral flavored oil.
Best rice — It is the rice that makes or breaks this dish. Basmati rice makes the best biryanis and is chosen over other rice varieties! Therefore, please use Basmati rice for this recipe for its distinct flavor and texture. Rinsing makes a difference — Remember to rinse the rice properly to get fluffier grains when prepping for this delicious recipe. Rinsing will remove the starch sticking to the surface of the grains and prevent the rice from sticking together when cooked. Soaking the rice is essential — Soaking the Long grain Basmati rice for 10 minutes before cooking ensures that the grains cook through along with other ingredients without getting overcooked and mushy. So, please do not skip this vital step. Amplify the nutrition and flavor — This recipe can be modified and amped up for more nutrition and flavor. Adding more veggies like carrots, baby spinach, potatoes or beans renders a nutritional boost while making it irresistible. Turning it Vegan — Substituting paneer with tofu and ghee with oil turns this dish into a vegan one without compromising on the flavor and delectability! An imperial touch — Fried cashews and raisins added to the recipe before serving will render a shahi touch to this delicious Paneer Biryani recipe. Avoid overcooking completely — Overcooked rice means mushy Biryani; indeed, we do not want that. So, to prepare the best biryani, follow the instructions carefully and cook the rice accordingly. Scalable recipe — This Paneer Dum Biryani recipe can be doubled or tripled to suit your preferences. Please follow the guide provided on the recipe card. Deglazing — Deglaze the instant pot insert as you cook your delicious recipe. Deglazing is necessary as it removes all the browning from the sautéing of the vegetables sticking to the bottom of the pot. If not deglazed, your instant pot will give a BURN message. For the spicier version — Do you like your biryani spicier? Throw in some green chilies and enjoy the heat! However, follow this recipe completely if you want to keep it subtle. For the perfectly cooked rice — Don’t release the pressure right away. Wait for 4 minutes and then do a QPR (quick pressure release). During this time, the rice will absorb the extra liquid and come out ideally every time. But again, this wait time applies to long grain basmati rice only. A make-ahead recipe — This recipe, Instant Pot Paneer Biryani, can be prepared in advance and stored for later use. It stores well for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
Follow the step-by-step instructions to make the best Instant Pot Paneer Biryani
Uncomplicated, effortless, and simply marvelous! Yes, this recipe should be tried…. now! Quickly get your ingredients; they are all lying in your pantry, and let us begin our culinary spree! Should you make this Instant Pot Paneer Biryani recipe, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below. And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
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