Easy

Paneer Pulao

Recipes For A Vegetarian Lunchbox And Weeknight Dinners

Quick Summary: 

If the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. sitcom were based in India, then Monica Geller would have whipped out Biryani and Pulao for lunch and dinner. And Joey Tribbiani would be around to polish off everything in a jiffy. Imagine vegetarian fare, with paneer as the focus, cooked by a talented chef (you), perfect for lunchboxes and weeknight dinners. Read on for recipes on Vegetable Paneer Pulao, Spicy Paneer Pulao, Paneer and Peas Pulao, Paneer Biryani, and Paneer Tikka Pulao.

Deep Dive

This one’s not for the ones who believe that vegetable biryani is just pulao. Hop into the non-vegetarian aisle if you want to rage. This article is here to make your lunchboxes simpler, easier, rather, and pack in good nutrition, minus the hassle of handling meat. The good old paneer, here, is used in different forms, tikka-fied, in various pulao, spicy and non-spicy, and of course, there’s the hardcore-meat-eaters nightmare: the paneer biryani, which shares the same hate as vegetable biryani. So, for a quick and easy paneer pulao recipe for hectic weekends, when dinner dilemmas haunt you and what to pack for lunch adds to the temple tick, here are 5 easy recipes.

1. Vegetable Paneer Pulao

Mild, aromatic, and subtly spiced, this is the kind of dish that calms you down and helps you catch your breath from the first bite. The tender vegetables pair well with the soft, whole paneer and spiced rice, and their flavour is familiar, making it a good bite to pack for days when you know work is trying. Vegetable paneer pulao makes for a balanced lunch with protein from paneer, fibre from vegetables, and slow-digesting carbs from rice, which makes it ideal for lunchboxes or light dinners. Serve on a wide plate with a spoonful of chilled cucumber raita on the side and a mint leaf.

2. Spicy Paneer Pulao

If you like spicy, then this recipe is a must-try with its smoky and bold flavour that is made heady with green chillies and black pepper. The caramelised onions, spices, and crushed garlic add a nice flavour to the whole meal, with a lingering aftertaste that might just create a craving for another helping! This meal is also high in protein and will wake your metabolism too; great for days when you need a flavour hit without the extra calories. Serve the paneer pulao in a bowl, and top with extra fried onions and a lemon wedge. 

3. Paneer and Peas Pulao

If mild flavour is what you seek, then paneer and peas pulao will be perfect for your dabba or a light weeknight meal. The slightly sweet green peas and spiced rice with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaf are hearty. The paneer packs it all together and is distributed in portion sizes to meet your daily nutritional quota. It’s a good choice for kids’ dabba and also office-goers. If eating at home, pair it with a flavoursome curry like vegetable korma, yoghurt, or something similar to add gravy to an otherwise dry dish. 

4. Paneer Biryani

This one’s a flavour bomb, and chances are you are packing a dabba from last night’s or day’s leftovers. Paneer biryani is deeply aromatic, and like most Mughal Cuisine, it is layered and slow-cooked with the paneer, spices and rice packed well with flavour from the spices and condiments. The biryani rice is fluffy, firm and long with masala clinging to the paneer as well as the rice. You get good fat from the ghee, and calcium plus protein from the paneer. This one is best eaten with boondi raita or mirchi ka salan.

5. Paneer Tikka Pulao

The charred flavour of tikka is exactly what a lunchbox demands, or even a weeknight dinner to break the monotony of a boring week. The marinated paneer, with the tikka masala, brings a smoky depth to the whole pulao, and the paneer is tender and also a bit chewy depending on the way it is prepared. Grill the paneer or pan fry it, whichever way it is done, the rice makes it balanced. This dish is high in protein and calcium, and you can skip the cream in the marinade for a lighter version. Skip side dishes for this one; you can, however, add a chutney or yoghurt for a more fulfilling version.