Maharashtrian Masale Bhat

Spicy and packed with delicious flavors, Maharashtrian Masale Bhat is the perfect comfort food that comes together in under 30 minutes. Make this traditional one-pot, vegan dish using a medley of vegetables and a hot spice mix – Goda Masala.

If you want to explore Maharashtrian cuisine a little more, then try these recipes too – Maharashtrian Misal Pav, Bharli Vangi, Puran Poli, Batata Bhaji, Thecha, Jowar Bhakri, Pithla, Shengdana Amti, Zunka, and Sabudana Vada.

Jump to:

• About This Recipe
• Ingredients
• How To Make Masale Bhat
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage Suggestions
• You Might Also Like
• Recipe Card

About This Recipe

Masale Bhat is a popular Maharashtrian recipe that is prepared in every Marathi household. It is a spicy rice preparation loaded with veggies.

It is easy, quick to make, and full of traditional Maharashtrian flavors due to the use of a special spice mix, Goda masala.

The addition of goda masala makes this rice recipe different from other spicy rice recipes.

Masala Bhath can be served for breakfast or lunches or can be packed for lunch boxes. It is a must-make for Maharashtrian weddings, special occasions, and festivals like Gudi padwa or Ganesh Chaturthi.

Serve this vegan spicy Maharashtrian rice on its own or with cooling raita or mattha (spiced buttermilk) and varan (thin cooked lentils) on the side.

The recipe can be easily doubled or tripled as per your requirements.

Ingredients

Rice – This recipe is traditionally made using local Maharashtrian short-grain rice – Ambemohar rice. If this rice is not available, you can use any short grain rice (Sona Masuri, Surti Kolam, Kali Jeera, etc) or even basmati rice to make this recipe. 

To make it healthier, you can replace white rice with brown rice, quinoa, millets, or couscous. Keep in consideration that the time of cooking and the rice to liquid ratio will change.

Vegetables – Maharashtrian Masale Bhat is loaded with vegetables, and this is what I like about this rice dish the most. Eggplants (baingan) and Ivy gourds (tendli) are the two vegetables that are a must in this dish, although you can add other veggies of your choice too. I have used carrots, green peas, eggplants, ivy gourds, potatoes, and cauliflower.

Make sure to soak the eggplants and potatoes in water after cutting them to prevent them from turning black because of oxidation.

Goda Masala Powder – You can either make Goda Masala Powder at home or use the store-bought ones. It is easily available in Indian grocery stores or you can buy it online.

Spice Powders – Other than goda masala powder, you will need turmeric powder, salt, Kashmiri red chili powder, and garam masala powder.

Oil – You can use any vegetable oil to make Masala Bhat. Replace oil with ghee for a richer taste.

Others – You will also need cumin seeds, ginger garlic paste, and green chilies.

Adjust the green chilies as per your taste.

How To Make Masale Bhat

Preparation

Wash 1 cup of Ambemohar rice 2-3 times with water until the water runs clear. Soak the washed rice in 3-4 cups of water for 30 minutes.

Prepare the veggies and set them aside. You will need 2 cups of mixed vegetables.

1. Carrots – Peel and cut into cubes
2. Green peas – You can use fresh or frozen peas.
3. Eggplant – Try to use small purple brinjals for the best flavor. But if they are not available, use any other variety. Chop the leafy top of the eggplant and discard it. Cut the remaining into 1-inch cubes. Soak in water until ready to use to prevent oxidation.
4. Ivy gourd (Tendli) – Cut a few mm from both ends and then cut into half.
5. Potatoes – Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Soak in water until ready to use to avoid oxidation.
6. Cauliflower – Cut into small florets.

Gather the remaining ingredients.

Make The Bhat

Heat 4 tablespoon vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. 

Once the oil is hot, add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and ¼ teaspoon asafetida and let them crackle for 3-4 seconds. 

Add 1 cup finely chopped onions and cook until they are soft and translucent (4-5 minutes). Stir frequently.

Add 2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste and cook for another minute.

Now add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 1 tablespoon goda masala, and ½ teaspoon garam masala powder and fry for another minute.

Add the mixed vegetables to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Drain the water from the rice and add the rice to the pan along with 1 teaspoon finely chopped green chilies.

Add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of water and stir gently.

Close the pan with a tight-fitting lid. 

Reduce the heat to low.

Cook the rice until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender (20-25 minutes). Do not open the lid while cooking.

Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Open the lid of the pan and fluff the rice using a fork. Garnish masale bhat with finely grated fresh coconut and serve hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

You can serve Masale Bhat on its own for a light and comforting breakfast, lunch, or dinner or you could serve it with Kadhi, Katachi Amti, or any of your favorite raita. I like to serve it with Boondi Raita or Tomato Onion Raita. 

At weddings, it is served along with Mattha and Varan. These two dishes tone down the spice and heat of the masala bhaat.

Do not forget to garnish it with some grated fresh coconut.

Storage Suggestions

Masala Bhat will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Store it properly in an air-tight container and reheat in a microwave or pan until nice and warm. If you feel the rice has become a little dry, then sprinkle a little water on top while reheating.

Reheat only the amount you want to serve as reheating, again and again, can decrease its shelf life.

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