Masale Bhath

Masale Bhath is an imperative Rice dish cooked with seasonal vegetables and spices for every festive/wedding meal in Maharashtra which is very spicy and flavourful.. It is simple in terms of preparation, and it is an absolutely tasty dish yet so easy to make.

For Rice

Basmati Rice - 2 cups

Ghee - 3 tbsp

Onions - 2 large ones

Water - 3 cups

Salt to taste

Vegetables :

Tindora, Green peas, Cabbage, Pumpkin , Potato, Cauliflower, Carrot as per your choice

For Dry Masala (Roast all without oil and grind them to a fine powder.)

Coriander seeds- 2-1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds-1tsp

Sesame seeds-1tsp

badi elaichi-1

Cardamom - 3 pods

Cinnamon - 1 inch

Cloves - 3

Black Peppercorns – few

Turmeric powder- ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Redchilli powder-1tsp

Asafetida- pinch

Green chilli-2

For Garnishing

Curry leaves - 2 sprigs

Chopped coriander leaves 2 tbsp

Grated fresh coconut - 2 tbsp

Method to prepare:

1.   Soak rice in water for thirty minutes. Drain and set aside

2.   Heat  ghee in a pan and season with mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When they crackle, add curry leaves, asafoetida and green chili, and onion, saute until onion changes color.

3.  Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and the roasted masala powder, mix well for a minute.

4.  Add the vegetables, salt , sprinkle some water and cook for 5 minutes. Then Add rice and mix well.

5.   Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and continue to cook covered until rice is done and all the water is absorbed.

6.   Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with roasted cashewnuts, chopped coriander leaves and scraped coconut.

7.  Serve hot with a raita.