Wash Rice and soak it in enough water for at least 1 hr.
When ready to take rice, take a heavy bottomed pan, add ghee/oil to it.
Roast Cashew Nuts in it till light brown. Roast raisins for few seconds till it puffs up. Keep aside for later use.
In the same pan and ghee, add the whole spices, and cumin seeds. When the seeds crackle, add rice and saute for few minutes.
Add 3 Cups of water. Add salt, and mix lightly . Cover and cook till rice is done and the water evaporates. Add the saffron milk when the rice is half done and again cook till all the liquid evaporates.
Prepare the Paneer Pearls/Moti
In a bowl, mix paneer, boiled mashed potato, cornflour and salt. Mix and make a smooth mixture.
Make small lime balls, and deep fry till light brown. I like to keep the Paneer pearls very light in color. Once done, keep aside to add in pulao.
Check for the doneness of rice, add cashew nuts and raisins and mix lightly with a spoon or fork.
Coat paneer pearls with edible silver foil while still warm. Add to the pulao before serving.
Notes
Coating Paneer balls/pearls with edible silver foil is optional. I didn't have any, you can use it if you want.You can add nuts of your choice like almonds, pistachios and even cranberries.For vegan option, infuse saffron in almond or any plant based milk or even skip it and add directly to rice with water..