Ajay Chopra
Masale Bhaat is an immensely popular rice-based dish from Maharashtra. Chef Ajay Chopra shares the recipe in detail.
Preparation Time
8-10 Min
Cooking Time
18-20 Min
Meal Type
main course
Difficulty
MEDIUM
For wet paste
4 - 5 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick
4 -5 green cardamoms
1/4 cup coriander seeds
coriander stems
2 - 3 green chillies
1 cup grated coconut
For Bhaat
2 - 3 tbsp oil
1 - 2 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
1/4 tsp asafoetida
1/2 cup raisins and cashew nuts
1 cup tendli (Ivy gourd)
1 cup baingan (brinjals)
1 cup soaked Ambemohar rice
2 - 3 tbsp goda masala
salt as per taste
1 tbsp sugar
2 cups water
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 lemon
For garnish
chopped coriander
grated coconut
curry leaves
In a pan dry roast cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, coriander seeds, coriander stems, green chillies and coconut. Cool the spices and grind it into a coarse paste.
In a pan heat oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves, hing, raisins and cashew nuts and saute.
Add the chopped tendli (ivy gourd) and brinjals and saute. Add the ambemohar rice (previously soaked in water) and a few spoons of the wet paste.
Add the goda masala and sugar to the rice mix and saute again. Add water, turmeric powder, salt and mix well.
Cover and cook on low to medium flame for about 15 mins until the rice is cooked. Squeeze a lemon on the masale bhaat.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and freshly grated coconut and curry leaves. Serve hot!
Masale Bhaat is a type of Maharashtrian Pulao, a one-pot rice-based dish. Although it is quite similar to pulao, it has its distinct flavours and aromas.
It is made with regular rice, ivy gourd, brinjal, cauliflower, green peas cooked in both ground masala pastes and whole spices in addition to the Maharashtrian goda masala. It is this goda masala that imparts the masala bhaat its unique flavour.
