Masale Bhat

Masale Bhat is a famous Maharashtrian delicacy. This rice preparation is very much like pulao...but the taste is far from that. Masale Bhat mainly is a one pot rice and vegetable preparation. The flavour of Masale Bhat comes solely from the Goda Masala. In lots of recipes I found the goda masala has been replaced with garam masala...but by doing that, you will just ruin this dish. The rice may come out flavourful, but then it will not be masale bhat.

This year...my sister-in-law brought me a packet of Goda Masala from Kohlapur and I must tell you that this spice is just one of its kind. Mainly served in Wedding Cereminies, Masale Bhat is a very spicy rice dish and it best goes with raita...a chilled bowl of whisked spiced yogurt with some green salad of your choice. So if you can find Goda Masala where you live, do try this recipe...you will not regret.

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan and throw in the onions, cashew nuts, ginger - garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala powder and half of the goda masla. Cook the onions for 3-4 minutes or until the onions become a little golden.

Throw in the vegetables and cook for a more 3-4 minutes or until they become tender.

Add the soaked and drained rice.

Add water, rest of the goda masala and garam masala powder, salt and chopped coriander leaves. Cover the pan with lid and cook on low to medium flame for 10-12 minutes or until the rice is cooked through.

Masale Bhat

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup of Basmati rice

2 onions – sliced

1 medium carrot – cubed

½ cup green peas

10-12 green beans – cross cut

4 garlic cloves – minced

1 inch ginger – minced

2 green chillies – finely chopped

A handful of whole cashew nuts

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

1 tbsp goda masala

1 and ½ tsp garam masala powder

A handful of fresh coriander leaves

Salt

2 tbsp oil

1 tbsp melted ghee 

Method:

Wash and soak the rice in water for 15-20 minutes.

Heat the oil in a pan and throw in the sliced onions, ginger – garlic paste, chopped green chillies along with the cashew nuts, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder and half of the goda masla.

Sprinkle some salt.

Stir and cook the onions and vegetables for a good 3-4 minutes on medium flame.

If you see the spices tend to stick to the bottom of the pan, just throw in a dash of water.

By the time the onions will turn a little golden. Now add the carrots, green beans and green peas.

Mix them with the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes more or until the veggies become a little tender.

Take the soaked rice and drain the water, Put this rice in the pan and mix them well with the veggies.

Put the flame on low and fry the rice along with the veggies for 2 minutes or until you see the grains look separated. They will also make a husky sound while stirring.

Add 1 and ¾ cup of water and give them a good stir.

Add some salt for the seasoning.

Add the remaining garam masala powder and goda masala.

Add the chopped coriander leaves.

Give a final stir and close the pan with a lid.

Cook on low to medium flame for about 12 minutes.

Switch off the flame and leave the pan just as it is for another 10 minutes more.

After 10 minutes open the lid and drizzle the melted ghee over the rice.

Serve immediately.

You can eat masale bhat just plain or along with some raita of your choice.