Methi Bhaat

Methi bhaat is a popular rice preparation from Karnataka. I got this recipe from a colleague in Bangalore when I worked there briefly years ago. Methi leaves are naturally flavorful enhancing the taste of this dish. It makes a great school lunch.


I made the methi bhaat with brown rice as that is all I have in my pantry. We stopped buying white rice years ago. Another change I made was the coconut. Normally the recipe calls for dry shredded coconut to be added to the masala. I did not have any dry coconut. I only had frozen fresh coconut so I left out the coconut from the masala and added fresh coconut directly to the pan when cooking the methi leaves.

You will need
a bunch methi leaves
1 cup brown rice
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tbsp. channa dal
1 tsp. ural dal
4-5 curry leaves
1 dried red chili powder (optional)
3 tbsp. fresh grated coconut (if using)
1/4 tsp. asafoetida
1 tsp. turmeric powder
salt to taste

For the masala
2 tbsp. bengal gram dal
1 tbsp. coriander seeds
1/2 dried red chili pepper
1 pod cardamom seeds
tiny piece cinnamon
1 tbsp. dry coconut flakes
a pinch asafoetida

Grind all the masala ingredients to a coarse powder. Store in an airtight container.
Wash the methi leaves to remove any dirt and chop them coarsely.


Cook the brown rice and let it cool.


Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds, channa dal, ural dal, curry leaves and red chili powder. When the mustard seeds crackle add the asafoetida and turmeric powder. Add the methi leaves, the 3 tbsp. of fresh ground masala and grated coconut. (If you used dried coconut flakes in the masala leave the fresh coconut out.)


Cook the methi leaves until tender but not mushy. Season with salt. Add the cooked leaves to the cooled rice and mix it well.


Enjoy!

Comments

  1. Very healthy and unique recipe.

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  2. The rice surely looks very inviting..and adding methi makes this very healthy and good option to sneak in greens into your kids box..

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  3. Fantastic methi bhaat, very aromatic and delicious one pot meal..

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aaah another brown rice recipe that I would love to try. good one

    ReplyDelete

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