Spinach Pulao with Paneer

2 cups Basmati rice – wash and soaked for 30 minutes

3- ½ cups of water

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 big onion chopped

200 grams spinach - sliced into small strips

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

2 green chilies chopped

1-inch ginger- grated

Salt to taste

1 cup paneer - cut into cubes and fried

Few cashew nuts – fried

Heat the oil in a pan and fry cumin seeds until it crackles. To this add onions and sauté till translucent and light brown. Add the spinach, chopped green chilies, ginger and salt and let it cook for a few minutes. Add the rice and mix it with the spinach well. Add enough water for the rice to cook. When the rice is almost done, add in the paneer cubes and gently mix it with the rice. Continue to cook on low heat until rice is fully cooked. Top with the fried cashew nuts and serve with onion raita.

Onion Raita

1 cup yogurt

 ½ cup chopped red onions

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon sugar

½  teaspoon cumin powder

¼ teaspoon red chili powder

2 tablespoons coriander leaves- chopped

Whisk the yogurt in a bowl and add all the ingredients above. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.