Phodnicha Bhaath / Tempered Rice - A Maharashtrian Rice dish

I grew up in Mumbai (The capital city of Indian state Maharashtra) . I have a special liking for the Maharashtrian cuisine which is very flavorful. Today I bring to you a simple Maharashtrian rice dish called "Phodnicha Bhaath"."Phodni"  in Marathi means tempering or tadka or vaghar and "Bhaath" means Rice. In this dish, rice is tempered with a lot of garlic, onion and spices.It works well when you have to use leftover rice but believe me, this dish tastes so good that sometimes I cook fresh rice just so that I can make this dish:) Just serve it with a raita or just plain yogurt and you will have a delicious meal on the table. Since it is so easy to make, it also serves as a great lunch box option.

INGREDIENTS:

• Cooked Rice (I used Basmati rice) : 4 cups 
• Red Onion : 1 cup finely chopped 
• Garlic : 2 tbsp finely chopped 
• Green Chillies : 2 (Slit them into two)
• Cumin Seeds : 1/2 tsp 
• Mustard Seeds : 1/2 tsp 
• Dry Red Chilli : 1 
• Curry leaves : 5 
• Cashew nuts : 2 tbsp 
• Turmeric Powder : 1/2 tsp 
• Red Chilli Powder : 1/4 - 1/2 tsp (Adjust according to taste)
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro : 2 tbsp
• Lemon juice : 2 tsp
• Oil : 2 tbsp

PROCEDURE:

• Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan. When the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dry red chillies, curry leaves and cashew nuts. Fry until the seeds splutter.
• Add the chopped garlic, onion and green chillies and saute. Fry until the onions turn translucent.
• Add in the turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
• Add the cooked rice and mix well. Also add the salt at this point.
• Lastly add, the lemon juice and the chopped cilantro and give it a final mix.
• Serve hot with raita or plain yogurt.

Do try other Rice dishes :

Curd Rice / Yogurt rice

Tomato Bell Pepper Rice

CauliFlower Rice

Lemon rice

Golden Corn Pulao

Palak Pulao / Spinach Rice

HAPPY COOKING!!!!