Rinse 1 cup basmati rice a few times and soak it in water for 30 mins. Cook the rice in 2.5 cups of water until they are tender, not mushy.
Meanwhile prep the veggies - 1/3 cup sliced onions, 2/3 cup chopped tomatoes, chopped 2-3 green chillies, 2 tsps crushed ginger and garlic, 1/3 cup of boiled fresh corn and fresh green peas (or frozen), 1 medium sized carrot chopped, 1 large capsicum sliced and 200 gms paneer cut into cubes.
In a pan, heat a tbsp of oil and mix in 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp red chilli powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Add in the paneer cubes and sauté until the paneer is slightly browned from all the sides. Turn and flip the paneer gently while cooking it.
Heat 3 tbsps groundnut oil or any cooking oil. Sizzle 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1.5 tsps jakhiya seeds (optional). Add 4-5 curry leaves, green chillies and crushed ginger garlic. Sauté for 1 min.
Add the sliced onions and let them cook until they turn translucent. Add tomatoes, carrots and capsicum and 1.5 tsps salt or to taste. Cook for 3-4 mins or until the tomatoes turn mushy. We don’t like crunchy veggies in this pulao but if you do add the vegetables after the tomatoes are cooked through. Also add in the green peas and corn.
Mix in 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1.5 tbsps pav bhaji masala, 2 tbsps chopped fresh mint leaves and 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves and let it cook for a min.
Gently mix in the sautéed paneer and cooked rice. Cook them covered on low flame for 2-3 mins.
Garnish with more fresh mint.Enjoy!!!