Priya of Mahro Rajasthan's Recipes and Reshmi of Rasoi came up with the wonderful idea of starting a friendship chain in USA and CANADA for food bloggers and non-food bloggers and hence was born Maitri. To know more about maitri and be a part of it click on the banner right side.

Masale Bhaat is a maharashtrian rice dish usually made during the weddings. This is the marathi version of our vegetable pulao which is very spicy and flavourful.The reason i made masale bhaat for maitri was the mystery ingredient. Rajee Mani of Everyday Cooking was the wonderful lady matched with me for maitri, she sent me a package consisting of beautiful place mats, a card and the mystery ingredient. When i first looked in to it i thought it was some kind of masala powder and my guess was either biryani masala or five spice powder. I mailed rajee and it was a no, so i asked rajee to reveal the ingredient. She mailed me saying that it was Goda Masala, a popular spice blend widely used in maharashtrian dishes. Goda Masala is made with a mix of many spices that includes coconut, just a spoonful adds so much flavour to the dish.
Thanks Rajee for introducing me to Goda Masala and the wonderful gifts!


My job next was to cook a dish that has Goda Masala and blog about it. Since this was the first time i have heard about or seen Goda Masala it was hard to cook a dish with it. I found this Masale Bhaat at Madhura's recipes and made few changes to the original recipe.

Masale Bhaat : adapted from madhura's Recipes
serves 2 - 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked in water for 20 minutes
1 cup vegetables of your choice
1 large onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
2 green chilies, halved
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 t red chili powder
1 t turmeric powder
1 T goda masala
2 T roasted peanuts
1 bayleaf
salt, to taste
2 1/2 cups water
oil
ghee

To dry roast and powder

2 t coriander seeds
1 t cumin seeds
1 inch piece cinnamon stick
3 cloves

Method

Heat oil and ghee in a pan, add bayleaf, green chilles and onion, saute until onion changes color. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.

Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, goda masala and the roasted masala powder, mix well for a minute.

Add the vegetables, salt , sprinkle some water and cook for 5 minutes.

Mix in the rice along with tomato, peanuts and water, check for salt. Bring it to a boil and cook on high heat for 5 minutes. Close the lid and cook on a low flame for another 10 minutes or until the rice is done.

Mix gently, serve hot with raita.

For Goda Masala recipe visit Madhura's Recipe