1. Prepare rice: Rinse and soak the rice for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook rice: Boil the rice in water until it's 70% cooked. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare paneer mixture: Heat ghee or oil in a pan and sauté the diced onion until tender. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add paneer and spices: Add the paneer cubes, biryani masala, and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Layer biryani: In a large pot or Dutch oven, create a layer of cooked rice. Add a layer of the paneer mixture on top. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up.
6. Dum cooking: Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.