Masale Bhat Recipe | Authentic Maharashtrian Masala Bhaath

Masale Bhat Recipe | Masala Bhaat Rice | Maharashtrian Masala Bhaath with detailed photo and video recipe. It is a simple and easy, flavored rice recipe made with a combination of native spices, vegetables, and rice. Masale bhat recipe in Marathi cuisine is a popular pulao rice that can be a perfect lunch box or tiffin box recipe. Most commonly, it is served for morning breakfast or lunch and is often termed a tiffin box recipe or lunch box recipe.

Masale Bhat Recipe | Masala Bhaat Rice | Maharashtrian Masala Bhaath with step-by-step photo and video recipe. A traditional and spicy Maharashtrian rice recipe that is typically prepared with a combination of Ivy Gourd(tendli) or eggplant/brinjal vegetables. However, it is even prepared with mixed vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, and even cauliflower. Further, it can be served without any accompaniment, yet it tastes great with simple raita or curd/yogurt.

Traditionally masale bhat recipe is always considered a one-pot meal recipe or a complete meal without any side dish to it. However, it is often served as a flavored rice dish in a thali or in a proper full-course meal with other curries and rotis. But I personally prepare this rice recipe for my daily breakfast or for my husband’s lunch box. I typically prepare the spice mix or goda masala well ahead in advance. Basically, once the masala is prepared, I can use it whenever I like to prepare this flavourful masala bhaat recipe. Moreover, it does not have the requirement of preparing this recipe with basmati rice and is hence easy to handle and economical. I generally prepare it with sona masuri rice or any raw rice, but rice is not a limitation. Do try this variant and I am certain you would love it.

Furthermore some important and easy tips for a perfect and flavored masala that recipe. First, it tastes great with the combination of tendli and brinjal and I highly recommend using it, particularly if you have access to it. I have added both with other basic vegetables too and it tastes so filling. Secondly, you can use a pressure cooker to prepare the same recipe if you are running short of time. Just add the spice mix or goda masala, vegetables, and soaked sona masuri rice and pressure cook it for 3-4 whistles. Lastly, the recipe tastes great when made with short-grain rice, and hence sona masuri or raw rice is recommended. I used sona masuri rice, soaked for 20 minutes. traditionally, it is made using Maharashtrian short-grain Ambemohar rice. However, you can also make using any short-grain rice like sona masuri, surti kolam, kalijeera.

Finally, I would like to highlight my other Rice Recipes Collection with this post on masala bhat recipe. It includes lemon rice, mango rice, methi pulao, kashmiri pulao, capsicum rice, tomato rice, paneer pulao, jeera rice, pudina rice, curd rice, and paneer fried rice recipe. In addition, do visit my other recipes collection with this post like,

• Dal Recipes Collection
• Chaat Recipes Collection
• Chutney Recipes Collection

About Masale Bhat:

A traditional and flavored rice or one-pot meal rice recipe known for its combination of flavor and spices used in it. In other words, the masale bhat recipe is a perfect lunch box or tiffin box recipe perfect for any age group. Particularly with the use of Ivy Gourd and Eggplant vegetables used to cook this rice, it makes it unique and special. Like any other flavored rice recipe, even this recipe is served with yogurt raita, thus balancing the spice heat, and flavors.

There are several variations to this simple masala bhath recipe. The variation is mainly experimented with the kind of vegetables and the spices added to it. Unlike other pulao or flavored rice recipes, masale bhat recipe is made with goda masala. Goda Masala is unique to Marathi Cuisine and is known for its less spiciness compared to garam masala.

Chef Pro Tips

Some more useful and mandatory tips for a perfect and flavored Masale bhat recipe.

1. Using Right Rice – As I explained earlier, short-grain rice like Ambemohar rice is the preferred one which helps to absorb the flavor and results in nonsticky. Yet you may prepare it with other types of rice too. You may have to adjust the cooking time and water ratio.
2. Combination Of Vegetables – The combination of Ivy Gourd & Eggplant is a must. In addition, you may extend it with potatoes, carrots, beans, peas, etc.
3. Cooking Method – The most common method of cooking this rice is with an open vessel. However, to hasten the cooking process, you can also use the pressure cooker method too.
4. Accompaniments – The best side dish to this recipe is a simple vegetable or mint raita. But it does not stop from being served with dal, curry, etc.
5. Garnish – The major difference between this rice and pulao is the way it is garnished before it is served. The rice is topped with fresh coconut grate and coriander to make it more special.

Why Does this Recipe Work

There are many significant factors that help to make this recipe a complete package. Some of the important ones are –

1. One Pot Meal – It is a perfectly balanced meal with the addition of various vegetables to it. Thus, making an ideal choice of a lunch box or tiffin box.
2. Versatility – The recipe does follow a standard traditional set of ingredients and vegetables. Yet it can be easily extended and adapted to any new requirements and taste preferences.
3. Cooking Time – Comparatively, the recipe is prepared in a few minutes. Particularly, if the spice blend is prepared well ahead in advance, it makes it a healthy and filling breakfast meal.
4. Spice Blend – When compared to other pulao or flavored rice, it uses a unique Marathi Cusine Native spice mix – Goda Masala. The experience and taste are certainly different and hence worth trying.
5. Comfort Food – Due to the choice of basic spices, and importantly short grain native rice, it is certainly comfort food or a day-to-day meal.

Video Recipe:

Recipe Card for Maharashtrian Masale Bhat:

How to make Masale bhat with step-by-step photo:

1. Firstly, in a large kadai heat 2 tbsp oil. add 1 bay leaf, 1 inch cinnamon, 2 pods cardamom, 5 cloves, 1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp cumin, pinch hing and a few curry leaves. splutter the tempering.
   
2. Add 2 tbsp cashew and fry until the cashew turns crunchy.
   
3. Further add ½ onion, 2 chilli and 1 inch ginger. saute until the onion softens slightly.
   
4. Keeping the flame on low, add ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tbsp goda masala.
   
5. Saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
   
6. Now add 10 tindora, ½ potato, 3 tbsp peas, 1 brinjal and fry for 2 minutes or until the vegetables shrink slightly.
   
7. Add 1 cup of rice. i have used sona masuri rice, soaked for 20 minutes. traditionally, it is made using Maharashtrian short-grain Ambemohar rice. However, you can also make using any short-grain rice like sonamasuri, surti kolam, kalijeera.
   
8. Add 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp jaggery and saute for 2 minutes without breaking the rice.
   
9. Further, add 3 cup water and mix well.
   
10. Add in 2 tbsp ghee, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
    
11. Once the rice is cooked well, mix gently making sure everything is well combined.
    
12. Finally, Masale Bhat Recipe can be served topped with coconut and coriander.
    

Notes:

• Firstly, add vegetables of your choice like carrot and gobi.
• Also, the ratio of water to rice depends on the variety of rice you are using.
• Additionally, if you are cooking in a cooker, then pressure cook for 2 whistles.
• Finally, Masale Bhat Recipe tastes great when served with a dollop of ghee.