Cottage Cheese and Green-Pea Rice

Name: Cottage Cheese and Green-Pea Rice (Paneer Matar Pulao)
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons ghee; 1 cup short-grain rice (or basmati), washed; 1 cup short-grain rice (or basmati), washed; 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped; 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 onions, thinly sliced; 2 green chiles, finely chopped; 2 cardamom pods; ½-inch cinnamon stick; 2 cloves; 1 bay leaf; 7 ounces paneer, cubed; ¼ cup frozen green peas, thawed; Kosher salt; 2 sprigs mint leaves, finely chopped

Paneer Matar Pulao

Preparation info

Yield:
4
servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Everyday Indian from Archana’s Kitchen

By Archana Doshi

Published 2026

About

A protein-packed one-pot meal, Paneer Matar Pulao is a flavorful rice dish made with soft paneer cubes, green peas, and aromatic whole spices. It’s mild, nutritious, and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. This dish reminds me of my childhood, when my mother used to make it for lunchboxes—light yet fulfilling!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ghee
1 cup short-grain rice (or basmati), washed

Asia
India
Lunch
Dinner
Gluten-free
Vegetarian

Method

Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker or electric multi-cooker on medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic, onions, and green chiles. Sauté until the onions soften. Stir in the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaf. Sauté for 30 to 40 seconds more.

Stir in the paneer, green peas, rice, and salt, to taste. Add 1½ cups of water. Cover the pressure cooker and pressure-cook for 2 to 3 whistles.