Moti Pulao is simple ghee rice decked with deep-fried paneer balls and is offered as prasad during festivals. The simple rice dish makes an excellent feast for a party as well.
I was introduced to this site many years ago and I don't actually remember which dish. However, I had bookmarked quite a few, especially their thali spreads. When I was again checking out for rice dishes as I remembered their Thali had Rice dish included, I went back to check and noted some more. This Moti Pulao is a simple Ghee Rice decked with deep fried paneer balls, which takes this dish to a different level.
This Pulao was part of a four-dish marathon I had on a Sunday and I was having a ball planning on dishes that were getting cooked in the different pans. I love doing it and feel so accomplished once I click all of them. Hubby dear sure laughs at my enthusiasm, especially since I warn him ahead of that he has got to taste four different rice dishes for lunch.
As I had said before, I didn't start early even though I knew Biryanis and Pulaos are not easy to be paired up for a single day. However, we get to learn new things. When there is a need, we surely learn to find ways. I made one creamy gravy to be paired with all the dishes and whatever was cooked went so well with the gravy and the meal was so enjoyable.
Moti Pulao is my choice for M in the AtoZ Biryani/Pulao/Khichdi Festival that's happening for the April Mega Marathon, where I have opted to make 26 Rice dishes. If you are interested to know what I am doing for M in C4AS, go ahead check it out!
A to Z Biryani/Pulao/Khichadi Festival!
A for Amritsari Wadi ki Biryani
B for Badshahi Pulao
C for Chak Angouba
D for Doddapatre Soppina Chitranna
E for Eerulli Chitranna
F for Fada ni khichdi
G for Goli Bhaat
H for Holud Mishti Pulao
I for Iyengar Style Vendhaya Keerai Sadam
J for Jackfruit Biryani
K for Kathal Biryani
L for Lima Beans Biryani
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Step By Step Pictures for making Moti Pulao
Moti Pulao | How to make Fried Paneer Balls Pulao
Making the Moti/ Fried Paneer Balls
Grate/mash the Paneer.
Add cashew nut powder, cornflour, cumin powder, pepper powder, and salt. Mix properly and make into small balls.
Deep fry in medium hot ghee till light golden brown.
Making the Rice
Wash and soak the rice for 15 to 20 mins.
Heat ghee in a nonstick pan. Roast the nuts and keep them aside.
Next, add all the whole spices and saute for a few minutes.
Once it starts to crackle, add the soaked rice. Mix it lightly and then add water and salt.
Soak the saffron in warm milk. When the rice is almost done, sprinkle the saffron on top and cook till it's done.
When the rice is done, arrange the fried paneer balls and roasted nuts on top and offer as prasad.
Recipe
Moti Pulao | How to make Fried Paneer Balls Pulao
Ingredients
For the Moti/Fried Paneer Balls
- 1 cup Paneer
- 2 tbsp Cashew Nuts powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Peppercorns
- Ghee for frying
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tbsp Corn Flour
For the Rice
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 2 cups Water
- 2 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 2 nos Cardamom
- 1 Bay leaf
- Few Strands Saffron
- 1 Mace
- Salt to taste
- 1 Marathi Mogga
- 2 tsp Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp Milk
For Garnish
- 5 to 6 Cashews Nuts
- 5 to 6 Almond
Instructions
Making the Moti/ Fried Paneer Balls
- Grate/mash the Paneer.
- Add cashew nut powder, corn flour, cumin powder, pepper powder, and salt. Mix properly and make into small balls.
- Deep fry in medium hot ghee till light golden brown.
Making the Rice
- Wash and Soak the rice for 15 to 20 mins.
- Heat ghee in a nonstick pan. Roast the nuts and keep it aside.
- Next, add all the whole spices and saute for a few minutes.
- Once it starts to crackle, add the soaked rice. Mix it lightly and then add water and salt.
- Soak the saffron in warm in milk. When the rice is almost done, sprinkle the saffron on top and cook till it's done.
- When the rice is done, arrange the fried paneer balls and roasted nuts on top and offer as prasad.
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The Mini thali has these dishes Moti Pulao, Navratan Kurma, Semiya Curd Rice, and Karuppu Kavuni Payasam for dessert.
vaishalisabnani says
I have read about moti pulao , but I see that this recipe is totally different . Serving it as prasadam is also new to me . Ghee rice itself is very delicious and serving it with paneer balls , wow ! Definitely a step further .
Suma Gandlur says
I made the same dish and loved it with a spicy gravy. It must have been hard to do two A - Z marathons. I still need to cook a couple of dishes for next week and am stressed and keep looking at our weather forecast to see of I have any sunny days.:)
Sushma Pinjala says
Moti pulao sounds different. Fried paneer balls looks great. Totally a new and amazing dish for me.
Sharmila Kingsly says
Love Paneer in any form and this looks very interesting... I already became a fan of moti pulao
gayathriraani says
This pulao looks beautiful with the paneer balls. Completely new to me. Only you can cook four types of pulao on a single day. With that many pulao and side dishes, it must have been an amazing feast that day.
harini says
Wow! another moti pulao. I am in love with those cute motis. reminds me of paalakayalu made for janmashtami.
Kalyani says
lovely pick for the letter. those deep fried paneer roundels add so much texture to this dish...
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
I can just eat those paneer balls as is. 🙂 This moti pulao sounds great. I too made three four pulavs on the same day and the very next day Raghav said, please make sambar today and continue with your pulavs. Lol... We need to do what we need to do for the marathons right?
FoodTrails says
I too had Moti Pulao as pearl pulao recipe.It is one simple and delicious meal na?? So perfect for festivals where we have to offer prasad to the Divine. Lovely share!!
Renu Agrawal Dongre says
I have shortlisted this recipe for this marathon, but did not make. Paneer balls fried would be a lovely addition to the pulao, and specially with the kids.