Paneer Pulao Recipe | One Pot Paneer Rice

For the pulao masala

• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon caraway seeds (shahi jeera) - optional
• ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds - optional
• 1 black cardamom - seeds removed and husks discarded - optional
• 2 to 3 green cardamoms - kept whole or seeds removed
• 2 to 3 cloves
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 1 single strand of mace
• 1 small piece stone flower (rock flower or pathar phool or kalpasi) - optional

For paneer pulao

• 1.5 cups basmati rice or pulao rice
• 250 to 300 grams paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
• 1 onion medium to large, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup green peas - optional
• 2 tablespoon ghee or oil for the pulao
• 2 to 3 teaspoons ghee or oil for pan frying paneer
• 3 to 3.25 cups water or add as required
• 1 inch ginger + 2 to 3 garlic cloves + 1 green chilli - crushed in a mortar-pestle to a paste
• 1 tej patta (Indian bay leaf)
• 1 to 1.25 teaspoon lemon juice - optional
• 1.5 to 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
• salt as required