Broccoli Paneer Rice

40 Mins

Serves 6 People

Author: Rajni Ram

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Broccoli, a nutrient dense vegetable, that I have grown to like and Paneer, a protein that I have always liked. When these two come together in any form, it is always yummy. There are a hundred things, I can think of cooking with Broccoli, but what always tops the charts for me is a Broccoli salad, Broccoli fritters and this yummy Broccoli and Paneer Rice.

To get the maximum taste from Broccoli,it is important to cook it right. Boiling them always makes them mushy. So, either blanching them and then stir frying, or directly stir frying is what works best. Though I kind of saute paneer and the vegetables separately in this recipe,I have not used more than 1.5 tsp of oil each time. So I have ensured that I keep the recipe simple and healthy. This is an excellent lunch box idea also, as it has all important elements to make it a meal in itself.

I had taken these pictures of the recipe,even before I thought I would blog it one day. They never saw the light of the day, because I always felt I haven’t done the pictures justice, cooking it in everyday pots and pans. But recently, I convinced myself that the pictures may not be upto the mark, the recipe is faultless,and if you try, you will understand what I mean.

What’s more, you can try this whenever you have leftover rice . Serve it with a raita or some Sago or rice crisps and it becomes a meal in itself.

While you are here I request you to checkout my other recipes like Dal Makhni, Broccoli and Zucchini fritters, Easy Corn fritters, Vegetable Manchurian and more…

Ingredients

Broccoli 1 medium head chopped to florets
Paneer / Cottage Cheese 200 gm
Basmati Rice 1 cup pre cooked
Onion 1 medium chopped lengthwise
Red Bell Pepper 1/4 of 1 whole diced
Tomato 1 large or 2 small, chopped
Green Chilli 1 slit
Garlic 3-4 cloves
Cumin Seeds
Red chilli Powder 2 tsp(divided)
Turmeric Powder 1 tsp (divided)
Coriander Powder 2 tsp
Fennel Powder 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds 2 tsp(divided)
Garam Masala Powder 1/2 tsp
Oil for sauteing

Mix 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and a little salt in a plate and keep it aside. Now in a pan/kadai heat some oil. Add the paneer cubes,followed by the chilli- turmeric powder, and saute. Once the paneer is evenly coated with the masala , remove it onto a plate.
Now in the same kadai take a little more oil and heat. Add cumin seeds followed by the Onions, Red bell peppers, green chilli and garlic and saute.
When the onions start turning brown, add the broccoli and saute. Saute until the broccoli are almost done, add the sauted paneer to the stir fried vegetables, mix nicely, and transfer the sauteed vegetables into a plate.
Now add a little more Oil to the same Pan/ kadai, add cumin seeds, as they splutter,add the turmeric powder, followed by the tomatoes. Now add salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and fennel powder and saute.
Finally, add the Garam masala powder( Indian Spice Mix), and stir.Now add the rice to this, a little at a time and mix well. Finally add the sauted vegetables and Paneer mixture and mix everything together very well. The Broccoli Paneer Rice is ready to serve with some Raita.

Mix 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and a little salt in a plate and keep it aside. Now in a pan/kadai heat some oil. Add the paneer cubes,followed by the chilli- turmeric powder, and saute. Once the paneer is evenly coated with the masala , remove it onto a plate. Now in the same kadai take a little more oil and heat. Add cumin seeds followed by the Onions, Red bell peppers, green chilli and garlic and saute. When the onions start turning brown, add the broccoli and saute. Saute until the broccoli are almost done, add the sauted paneer to the stir fried vegetables, mix nicely, and transfer the sauteed vegetables into a plate. Now add a little more Oil to the same kadai, add cumin seeds, as they splutter,add the turmeric powder, followed by the tomatoes. Now add salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and fennel powder and saute. Finally, add the garam masala powder, and stir.Now add the rice to this, a little at a time and mix well. Finally add the sauted vegetables and Paneer mixture and mix everything together very well. The Broccoli Paneer Rice is ready to serve with some Raita.

Notes:

Note that, though I have used oil for sauteing here at different stages, I have not exceeded more than 1-1.5 tsp each time.
Tofu can be used instead of Paneer if you prefer, and Broccoli can be swapped with cauliflower.
The Red bell peppers give a nice taste and flavour to the dish,so i recommend adding it.
I have used Basmathi rice, but any long oe short grained rice can be used. Just take care to cook them aldente.