I apologise in advance if this recipe is a bit rambling. In my defence I have spent most of the afternoon watching two back-to-back Hindi movies and my brains are mush. When I close my eyes to focus on ingredients I see lurching alpine scenery set to romantic Hindi music instead.
All this is a bit unfair on the recipe I want to present today as it is one of my favourite rice dishes from my mum’s kitchen. Masala Bhath or masala flavoured rice is typical of the part of India that we come from – the Western region (and obviously the more intellectually developed part, as my mother is quick to point out). It is a must at weddings but is also prepared at home and eaten wtih dal and yoghurt.
Kunda’s delicious Masala Bhath
Serves | 4 |
Prep time | 15 minutes |
Cook time | 20 minutes |
Total time | 35 minutes |
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice (wash the rice about 15 minutes before cooking until the starch disappears)
- 2 small onions (cut lengthwise into slices)
- 2 small potatoes (cut lengthwise into slices)
- 1/2 Tsp.. turmeric
- 1/2 Tsp chill powder
- 1 Tsp. garam masala powder
- 4 cloves
- 1 piece cinnamon
- 2 Tbs. oil (although if you get your hands on ghee this is much better)
- 1 whole green chilli
Note
Kunda's tip is to put in sliced aubergine and cauliflower if you want to jazz the dish up. Also garnish with fresh scraped coconut and/or coriander.
Directions
Step 1 | |
Heat the oil/ghee in a pan and put in the cloves and the cinnamon | |
Step 2 | |
When they start to sizzle, put in the onions and the chilli and fry till the onions are soft and brown | |
Step 3 | |
Put in the washed rice and stir the mixture around a little bit | |
Step 4 | |
Add the turmeric, chilli powder, garam masala, and salt and stir until mixed with the rice and the onions | |
Step 5 | |
Add the potatoes and stir | |
Step 6 | |
Put in exactly 4 cupfuls of water and stir | |
Step 7 | |
Wait until the water boils and then put the gas on simmer and cover the pan | |
Step 8 | |
Stir occassionally to ensure that the rice doesn't stick to the bottom | |
Step 9 | |
Your dish is ready when all the water evaporates | |
Step 10 | |
Eat with dal and yogurt. Yum! |