Herby Paneer Baked Rice Recipes

HERBY RICE WITH ROASTED VEG, CHICKPEAS & HALLOUMI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the red onions, peppers and courgettes in a large roasting tin, toss in 2 tbsp oil and season. (You may need to do this in 2 tins.) Pop in the oven and cook for 25 mins until the veg is tender and beginning to turn golden.
• Meanwhile, cook the rice following pack instructions. Whizz together the parsley, cashew nuts, remaining oil, the garlic and seasoning to make a pesto. Stir the chickpeas and halloumi into the roasted veg and cook for 10 mins more. Fork the parsley pesto through the rice, spoon over the veg and serve.

HERBY PANEER PARCELS

Steps:

• To make the herb paste, wash your herbs really well, including the coriander stalks. Squeeze lightly to get rid of excess water. Tip into a food processor or blender along with the garlic, ginger, chilli (if using), lemon juice, oil, garam masala and 1 tsp salt. Whizz until quite fine and smooth. Stir in the double cream, yogurt and ajwain seeds, if using. Taste and adjust any spices or seasoning to taste.
• Cut each block of paneer into 4 pieces. Pierce the paneer all over with a skewer to allow some of the paste to sink inside. Coat the paneer in the herby paste, then cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hr, or as long as possible.
• When ready to cook, heat a griddle pan or grill. Prepare 2 sheets of foil and place 4 pieces of the paneer on each. Sprinkle over the onion and top with a generous knob of butter. Bring the foil together to make a parcel that encompasses the cheese completely. Place straight on your hot grill or griddle pan for 8-10 mins or until the paneer is hot through and steamy. Ideally there will be a little charring coming through at the bottom - you will need to open the parcel and peek to check this. Sprinkle over the chaat masala and serve hot, still wrapped in the foil or on a plate.

HERBED BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Combine the rice, 1 3/4 cups water, the salt, and butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to low, stir once, and simmer, covered tightly, for 15 minutes. (I need to pull the pot half off the burner to keep it from boiling over.) Turn off the heat and allow the rice to sit covered for 5 minutes. Add the parsley, dill, scallions, and pepper. Fluff with a fork, and serve warm.

PANEER IN HERBY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Toast the cumin seeds in a heavy pan to darken - about 30 seconds. Crush roughly with a rolling pin, then tip into a blender with the chilli, ginger, yogurt, sugar, garam masala, coriander, lime juice, tomato purée and 200ml/7fl oz water. Blitz until smooth.
• Pour the sauce into a saucepan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the peas and simmer for 3-5 minutes until almost cooked.
• Stir in the paneer and tomato and heat through for 2-3 minutes. Scatter with cashews.

SIMPLE BAKED RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Spread long-grain rice into prepared casserole dish.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir carrot, celery, and onion in hot oil until onion is soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir garlic into mixture; cook and stir 1 minute more. Increase heat to high; add chicken stock and bay leaf to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture over the rice in the casserole dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and continue baking until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 20 minutes more. Remove and discard bay leaf; season with black pepper. Fluff with a fork to serve.

SAVORY HERB RICE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the water, butter and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.