Simple Fried Rice - Shrimp & Paneer

Here is an easy to make mild fried rice recipe that wouldn't make kids run for a mouthful of sugar :)

Total preparation time: 45-60 minutes

Ingredients:

1) Shrimp- 2 cups (or 1 cup cubed paneer and 1 cup shrimp)
2)
a. cinnamon powder: 1/2 teaspoon
b. cloves powder: 1/2 teaspoon
c. cardomom powder (elaichi powder): 1/2 teaspoon
d. ginger paste: 1 teaspoon
e. garlic paste: 1 teaspoon
f. green chilli paste: 1 teaspoon
g. finely chopped big onion: 1/4th
h. turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
i. thick coconut milk: 2 cups (1 can)
j. salt: to taste (I use 1 teaspoon, we go low on sodium)
3)
a. coconut oil: 1/2 cup
b. big onion: 1 full, finely sliced lengthwise
c. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
d. cashewnuts: 10 no.s
e. raisins: 20 no.s
4)
a. basmati rice: 2 cups rinsed well and drained
b. water: 2 cups
c. squeezed juice of one medium lemon/lime
5)
a. garam masala powder - 1/2 teaspoon (or 1-2 drops of essence)
b. coriander leaves, chopped; 1/2 cup

Preparation:

1. Cook shrimp with ingredients in (2) for 15 minutes on medium heat with lid closed.
2. Warm coconut oil in a pan.
3. At medium heat, fry cashew and rasins till medium brown in color, drain and keep aside
4. In the same pan, add the sugar, and fry thinly sliced onion till it turns medium brown (sugar makes onion very crispy when fried). Drain and keep aside.
5. (optional for those adding paneer cubes) Fry paneer in the same oil, drain and keep aside
6. Slightly fry the rice (cleaned and drained) in the remaining oil in the pan, stirring to make sure oil is coated uniformly on rice
7.  Add the fried rice to cooked shrimp mixture in step (1). Cook rice by adding 2 cups of water, and 1 full lemon juice, stir lightly every couple of minutes. Do not cover with lid, leave it open.
8. As the rice get 80% cooked, add in garam masala powder (or 1-2 drop of garam masala essence). Keep cooking on low-medium heat.
9. After the water evaporates completely, turn off the heat and add in fried paneer, cashews, raisins, chopped coriander leaves, and onion.
Serve steaming hot :) Enjoy!