Easy Paneer biryani

Ingredients:

Paneer- 250gm

Onion - 2 big, thinly sliced

Rice - 1 cup

Water - 2 cups

Coconut milk - 1/2 cup

Cashews - 10 - 12

Raisins - 2 tbsp

Ghee/Oil - 3 tbsp

For the Marinade 
Curd - 1/3 cup
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp 
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp  
Salt to taste  
Mint and Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup each,chopped 

For the seasoning 
Cinnamon - 1' stick
Cloves - 2-3  
Cardamom - 1
Star Anise - 1
Shahjeera - 1/2 tsp  

Method
1. In a thick bottomed kadai, add 2 tbsp oil/ghee and fry the onions in it till dark brown and crispy.You could also deep fry the same. Keep aside. 
2. Return the pan to heat and add remaining 1 tbsp oil/ghee and fry the cashews and raisins for 2 minutes. Keep aside.

3.Wash and soak the rice in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes.

4.Cut paneer into small cubes and shallow fry it. Marinate the fried paneer in ingredients mentioned under marinade along with half of the fried onions. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5.In a kadai add oil+ghee and saute the whole garam masala followed by shahjeera.

6.Add the marinated paneer along with the marinade and cook for 5-7 minutes.

7.Mix in the coconut milk and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes.  

8.Drain the rice and mix in carefully trying not to break the grains.Add in salt to taste and  1/2 tsp of garam masala.
9.Add 2 cups of water and let it boil.Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.The water should be fully absorbed by now. 

10.Switch off the flame and leave it undisturbed for another 15 minutes.  
11.Now fluff the rice with a fork. Mix in the rest of the fried onions, fried cashews and raisins.

Serve hot with raita.