Vegetable Paneer Dum Biriyani

Vegetable Paneer Dum Biriyani is a delicious, must try out Biriyani Variety. Although the process is lengthy, it can be quickly made by splitting the procedure. I normally do not prefer to stand near the stove for hours to make a recipe. Dum biriyani involves more wait time than cook time. So, I thought of giving a try to prepare at home for friends get together. It came out really well and everybody liked it so much. Dum Biriyani involves layering of all the cooked rice and vegetables. Usually, Chapathi dough is used to close the lid for Dum biriyani. I did not do that process here and sharing the recipe what I did below. Aluminum Foil can also be used to close the lid in the last step of the preparation

Ingredients:

Preparation Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Wait Time: 20 mins | Serves: 2-3

Basmati Rice – 1 Cup (200 gms)
Onion Sliced – 1 (Medium Size)
Bay leaf -1
Paneer Cubes – 1/2 cup (100 gms)
Ginger Garlic Paste – 2 tbsp
Curd – 1/2 Cup
Chili Powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder -1 28 tsp
Vegetables – 1 Cup (any veggies of choice. I took – Carrots, beans, Cauliflower, potato)
Biriyani Masala – 2 tbsp
Salt – 2 tsp
Crispy Fried Onions – 1/2 cup
Masala Items- Bay leaf -2 , cinnamon stick -2, cardamom – 3, clove-2,cumin seeds -1 tsp)
Mint Leaves
Coriander Leaves
Saffron – 5-6 strands (pre soaked in warm water / milk)
water, salt as required
Ghee – 1tbsp

Method:

Preparation Time: 10 mins | Wait Time : 20 mins | Cook Time:20 mins

Pre Soak Basmati Rice in water for 30 minutes and steam cook it in water adding a bay leaf and cloves for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, pressure cook for 1 whistle
Once Cooked, remove excess water using colander. add some cold water on top to prevent rice getting stuck with each other and evenly spread it out in a larger plate and set it aside

Meanwhile, Take a bowl, add curd, turmeric powder,chili powder, Biriyani masala powder,and salt. combine well
Add vegetables in it along with a tbsp of crispy fried onions, fresh sliced onions, mint leaves and coriander leaves
Paneer Cubes Are Added And Mix It Together

Now we are going to cook vegetables and mix everything to get a tasty Biriyani

Heat a pan, add ghee. Once hot, add bay leaf, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, clove and cardamom in it
add a tbsp of ginger garlic paste and saute it carefully
Few fresh onions can be added now. cook for 2-3 minutes
now its time to add our prepared vegetable mix with water and allow it cook for 10-12 minutes to cook the vegetables. Saute it occasionally to avoid over cooking

Once the vegetables are cooked, layering of the biriyani can be started. For that, take half of the cooked vegetable mixture and keep it aside. Generally two layers is enough. If preparing for more people, more than two layers can be done
For layer 1: we have half of the cooked vegetables in the pan, lower the flame. Add small portion of cooked basmati rice on top,add some quantity of cooked vegetables, sprinkle some fried onions, few mint and coriander leaves on top with a tsp of ghee
Repeat The Layering two times, The Same Way With The Process Of Adding Vegetables, Fried Onions, Mint Coriander Leaves, Cooked Rice, Ghee Once Again
For The Last Layer, Put The Soaked Saffron Stands On Top. Close The Pan With Lid and cover the lid with chapathi dough (this gives nice additional flavor to the biriyani)
Allow It Cook On Low Flame For 3-5 Minutes Before Serve
Mix Everything Together From The Bottom Below Serving