Palak Pulao With Paneer (Spinach Rice With Cottage Cheese)

spinach rice with Indian cottage cheese in a bowl

Palak Pulao With Paneer (Spinach Rice With Cottage Cheese)

Palak pulao with paneer is an easy, light and fresh pulao that's bursting with the goodness of spinach and cottage cheese. Pair it with raita (yogurt dip) and salad for a simple and fuss-free vegetarian meal.

Course Rice

Cuisine Indian

Keyword Indian rice dishes, palak pulao, palak rice, spinach rice

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 314.8kcal

Author Saima Zaidi

Equipment

6-quart Instant Pot Duo

Ingredients

1.5 cups white Basmati rice rinsed and drained
2 cups water
5 oz baby spinach
1 cup cubed paneer
1 cup finely sliced onion
5 tablespoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 dried red chillies
2 cloves
0.25 teaspoon whole black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 black cardamom or 2 green cardamom
salt to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Switch your instant pot to sauté (normal) and add the oil. When the oil starts shimmering, add the whole spices and dry red chillies. Let them sizzle for a few seconds.
Add the onions and fry until reddish-brown.
Add the ginger and stir for a 4-5 seconds.
Add the spinach, salt and turmeric and cook this until the spinach wilts and becomes dark green in color (4-5 minutes). If the spinach sticks to the bottom, add a few splashes of water too.
Add the rice, two cups water and paneer cubes. Mix well and cancel sauté.
Secure the lid and make sure the steam release vent is on 'sealing'. Press the pressure cooking button and set the timer for 4 minutes. When the timer beeps, wait for 5 minutes, then release the steam by turning the steam release vent to 'venting.' Open the pot, fluff the pulao and serve hot.

Notes

Substitutions

No dried red chillies? Use ½ to 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes or 2 green Thai chillies. If using green chillies, add them in step 4.
No whole spices? Substitute with ½ teaspoon powdered garam masala. Add it in step 4 with the salt and turmeric. Garam masala is easily available in most supermarkets.
You can use fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe.

Dos and don'ts

Do use good quality Basmati rice. This is the best rice for making Indian pulao.
Brown the onions well, but don't over-do it. See picture for degree of doneness. If the onions start turning black, your pulao will have a slightly bitter after-taste.

Nutrition