Bharda Bhat from Vidarbha in Maharashtra
This is the recipe for a delicious one-pot meal called Bharda Bhat from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Coarsely ground chana dal flour is the main ingredient of this spicy dish and that is what makes it protein-rich as well.
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup Rice
- 2/3 Cup Chana Dal
- 1.5 Cups Boiling Water
- 2 tsp Ginger Paste
- 8-10 Curry Leaves
- 4 Green Chillies, Chopped
- 2 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1-2 tsp Chilli Powder
- 1.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 3-4 tbsp Oil
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
Making the Bharda
- Grind the chana dal to a coarse powder. Set aside.
Cooking the Rice
- Cook the rice in 1.25 cups of water and 1/2 tsp turmeric. Use a little less water than usual as the rice grains should be separate after cooking.
- Set aside to cool.
Making Bharda Bhat
- Bring 1.5 cups of water to boil and let it simmer.
- In a large kadhai, heat the oil.
- Add the mustard seeds and wait till they crackle.
- Add the cumin seeds and stir-fry for a few seconds.
- Add green chillies, curry leaves, red chilli powder, and 1 tsp turmeric; and mix well.
- Add the bharda and fry for about 5 minutes.
- Slowly add the boiling water while mixing continuously to ensure there are no lumps.
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add ginger paste and mix well.
- Cover and cook till the water dries out a bit. Mix at regular intervals.
- When the Bharda cooks well and starts to form a ball, add the rice and mix well.
- Turn off the heat.
- Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve Bharda Bhat with Dahi and Chinchecha Saar (Maharashtrian Tamarind Stew).