Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Chef Mireille
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Paneer Pulao with rice, paneer and mixed vegetables makes the most flavorful and delicious one pot meal perfect for Meatless Monday, Vegetarian and Gluten Free – everyone will be happy with this Indian Spiced Rice Dish.
Have you heard of Pulao? Do you know what it is?
What is Pulao?
There are versions of pulao across the world spelled many different ways like pelau, pilau, polow, plov. The spices may vary a bit from region to region and country to country, but in all it’s variations pulao is a spiced rice dish that can include any variety of vegetables and/or meat.
In the Caribbean, Chicken Pelau is most popular on the island of Trinidad, which happens to have one of the largest Indian descended populations in the Caribbean. I have also tried Uzbeki Style Plov at a local supermarket here that sells prepared foods also.
No matter what kind of Pelau you are trying – be it Indian, Caribbean, Uzbeki, Turkish – all the flavors always combine into umami in your mouth! How can it not with spices, rice, and vegetables and/or meat?
This version is uniquely Indian as paneer, the Indian cooking cheese, really isn’t used in any of the other countries that make pelau.
In this version of Paneer Pulao, I added lots of different fresh vegetables, however you can simplify the process by just adding a bag of mixed frozen vegetables or use whatever vegetables you happen to have in your refrigerator. This can be made with any variety of vegetables you prefer.
This one pot Vegetarian meal is perfect for #MeatlessMonday – protein, veg and carbs all in one pot!
Looking for more Paneer Recipes for Meatless Monday?
Paneer Recipes
Now let’s see what you will need to add to this week’s Shopping List so you can make this delicious Paneer Pulao this week!
The Ingredients
- black peppercorns
- cumin seeds
- onion
- garlic
- ginger
- green chillies
- oil
- bay leaf
- cinnamon stick
- green cardamom pods
- Basmati rice
- bell pepper
- celery
- carrot
- cauliflower
- frozen green peas
- golden raisins
- garam masala
- Salt to taste
- paneer
HOW TO MAKE PANEER PULAO
- Make the masala.
- In a pot, fry your masala.
- Add the vegetables and raisins.
- Add the rice and cook until rice is cooked through.
- In a separate skillet, fry the paneer.
- Add paneer to the cooked pelau and toss to combine.
The perfect one pot meal!
Paneer Pulao
Ingredients
Masala Ingredients
- 5 black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 ”piece of ginger
- 2 green chiles
Pulao Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 green cardamom pods
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 chopped bell pepper
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 2/3 cup sliced carrot
- ½ cup chopped cauliflower
- ¼ cup frozen green peas
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup paneer diced
Instructions
- Grind peppercorns and cumin seeds for masala in a coffee/spice grinder. Transfer to a food processor with the rest of the masala ingredients and process until you have a masala paste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot. Add bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom. Fry for 1 minute.
- Add masala and fry until onions start to change color.
- Add onion, bell pepper, celery, carrot, cauliflower, green peas and rice. Stir fry for 1 minute.
- Add raisins, garam masala, salt and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet. Add paneer and fry until golden brown on all sides.
- Add paneer to rice and adjust salt, if necessary. Stir to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
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healthy veggie pulav
Thats an interesting combo, delicious pulao.
Lovely combo of ingredients…sounds yummy
Very healthy pulao Miri.
Very interesting combination of Raisin and paneer.Healthy with loads of veggies too.
Looks very inviting..
Divya's Culinary Journey
Showcase- FUN IN THE SUN
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sounds very interesting pulao.. glad to follow you.. do stop by mine sometime..
https://jopreet.blogspot.com/
Love it Mireille. It looks awesome and I love the combo of paneer and raisin. You rock girl…
good one mireille ; nice blend of flavours in it !
Glad you liked it Mireille, and thanks for your kind words ! I make this often too with some added veggies and some cashew-almonds too !
Kalyani
Sizzling Tastebuds
Hosting Walk Through Memory Lane – July 2012
Lovely pulao, combo of paneer and raisin seems delicious…
The pulao look so yum. very similar to what I make. I should give your recipe a try.
That looks delicious. Pulao is always a comfort food of mine.
mine too and anything with paneer is always a plus in my book
My wife would totally go for this recipe. Great flavors and we love Paneer. Have it in the fridge now.
Paneer should always be a fridge staple. IT is so versatile
What an amazing looking pulao. I could eat this right now
its the perfect one pot dish
That looks delicious! Hungry already!
it is a very good pulao. mildly spiced, anyone can enjoy it!
Perfect dish for a party . Adding raisins is a nice idea.
Yes it’s a nice combination and a great one pot meal for vegetarian days.
This looks so good. Can’t wait to try the combination of rice, paneer, golden raisins, and vegetables. Will try it on this weekend. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
It is such a great combination. YOu must let me know how you liked it when you try it.
Love this one pot meal, its got veggies, rice and paneer too. Adding raisins to a rice dish makes it so flavorful and adds a slight sweetness.
yes it is a great combination of flavors. I am sure you will love it
Pass the fork, Mir this Paneer pulao is amazingly delicious. I will love to think of making this tomorrow as we have rain predicted will make a great lunch dish and I will only check the veggies I have at hand to make it!
One pot meal such as this paneer pulao is one of our favourite meal. Loved the choice of paneer and veggies- just the way I like. I am pretty sure the flavorful aroma of the pulao must be all over the place. Great post! I am gonna make this pulao soonest, can’t wait.
I am sure you are going to love this Paneer Pulao