Vatana Bhat | Vatanyacha Bhat | Maharashtrian Peas Pulao
Vatana Bhat is a flavour packed peas and rice dish with fresh spices including coriander, coconut, ginger and garlic and spiced with goda masala.
Servings 2
Ingredients
- ½ cup green vatana, soaked overnight (or substitute with fresh peas, frozen peas)
- 1 tbsp ghee (substitute with oil for vegan )
- 1 small piece kalpasi/stone flower/dagad phool (highly recommend adding it)
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ cup onion finely chopped (about 1 medium onion)
- ½ cup tomatoes finely chopped
- ½ cup basmati rice (soaked for 15 minutes)
- 1 tsp goda masala (or use 1/2 tsp garam masala)
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water
To grind to a coarse paste
- 1 inch ginger
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 green chillies
- ¼ cup coriander leaves (about a handful)
- 3 tbsp dried coconut
Instructions
- Grind the ingredients given for a paste into a coarse mix. If necessary, add a tsp of water but ideally, none.
- To a 2L pressure cooker on medium flame (Induction 800W), add the oil and ghee, followed by the stone flower, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, the coriander chilli spice mix and fry it for a minute
- Now, add the onions and once it is translucent add the chopped tomatoes.
- Add turmeric, salt and goda masala. Then add the soaked peas and 1 cup water. Let the water come to a boil
- Add the soaked, drained basmati rice and mix well.
- Close the cooker, place the weight and turn flame to low (Induction 400W) for 7 minutes or two whistles, whichever is earlier. Ensure the flame is not higher than low.
- Let pressure fully settle ( takes 7-10 minutes). The delicious Vatana Bhat is ready!
- To garnish this dish, add some freshly grated coconut and roasted peanuts!
Notes
- This dish can be done with dried peas, frozen or fresh peas.
- If using dried peas, soak overnight and cook for 2 whistles with the rice. The recipe above is for the dried peas
- If using fresh peas, add along with the rice and cook for 2 whistles.
- If using frozen peas, add after the rice and cook only for 1 whistle for 5 minutes. Let it rest for 7-8 minutes and open.