Many times, the menu for dinner or lunch is completely directed by the ingredients in the pantry. Most vegetables are bought from the store, with a particular preparation in mind, and most of the times, never really gets in to the Most Wanted Dish!!!  I would have selected fresh spring onions to make spring rolls or chinese noodles, but end up using them in soup instead, or even a kootu!!! Pudina would have been carefully selected, wrapped and stored to make spicy pudina rice, but could conveniently end up becoming a side dish in the form of Pudina Chutney for Dosa or Idlis!!! Last week I had got fresh capsicums to make Capsicum Subji that my husband loves, but ended up in a one pot dish for this Quick Fix Paneer Capsicum Rice!!!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 Cups of Fragrant Basmati Rice cooked with 3 cups of water.

2 Fresh Capsicums sliced thin.

1/3 cup of Panner Cubes .

1 spoon of Ghee.

A Pinch of Garam Masala.

Seasoning:

1 spoon of Somph/ Shahi Jeera.

8 Green Chillies slit vertically.

1/2 Spoon of Jeera

1 0r 2 Bay Leaves.

4 Cloves.

A few Broken Cashew Halves.

Curry Leaves.

PREPARATION:

• Take a wide mouthed kadai and add 2 spoons of ghee. Allow to heat.
• Add the seasonings one by one – Cloves, Shahi Jeera, Jeera, Cashews, slit green chillies and curry leaves. Allow to saute for a few minutes and for the aromas to waft. This is important as at this point the spice of the chillies sink in to the oil.
• Add the chopped capsicum pieces and mix in well with the seasonings. Add sufficient salt for the capsicum.
• Keep the cooked rice spread out on a plate so it removes the starchiness from them.
• In a few minutes the capsicum begins to sweat and reduce in size and quantity.
• Add the cooked rice, salt for the rice, a pinch of your favourite garam masala and mix in well.
• Now at this stage, add the chopped paneer and finish up the rice by adding a garnish of chopped cilantro.
• This rice preparation is very simple and very flavourful as the main aroma comes from the seasonings and the chillies.
• Serve with simple Onion Raita or Dal Makhani.

HINTS:

• Peas can be added for more nutrition and taste.
  
• Onions can be sauted too for added flavour.