Varan Bhaat Recipe – A Flavorful Goan Delight
Description:
Varan Bhaat is a simple and wholesome Goan recipe, perfect for festive occasions or special celebrations. This comforting dish is traditionally offered to God before being enjoyed by family and friends. The dish is characterized by its lightly spiced, mild dal (lentils) mixed with fragrant ghee, making it an ideal pairing for a variety of rice dishes. Though many love to finish it off with a curry leaves tempering, the base recipe remains wonderfully delicious without it.
Cuisine: Goan
Course: Lunch
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arhar Dal (Toor Dal) | 1/4 cup |
| Green Chilli, finely chopped | 1 |
| Coconut, grated | 1/4 cup |
| Cumin Seeds | 1 tsp |
| Turmeric Powder | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Ghee (for tempering) | 2 tbsp |
| Asafoetida (Hing) | 1/4 tsp |
| Cumin Seeds (for tempering) | 1 tsp |
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Instructions:
-
Cooking the Dal:
- Begin by washing the arhar dal (toor dal) thoroughly. Add the dal along with 1 chopped green chilli and 1 cup of water into a pressure cooker.
- Close the lid and cook the dal for 2 whistles. Once done, reduce the flame and allow it to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the pressure naturally release. This will result in perfectly cooked dal.
-
Preparing the Coconut Paste:
- While the dal is cooking, prepare the spiced coconut paste. In a mixer grinder, add the grated coconut, turmeric powder, 1 tsp cumin seeds, and a little water. Grind the ingredients together into a smooth paste.
-
Combining Dal and Coconut Paste:
- Once the pressure has released, open the pressure cooker and add the freshly ground coconut paste to the cooked dal. Add salt to taste and stir well to combine. You can add more water at this stage if you prefer a thinner consistency.
-
Tempering the Dal:
- For the tempering, heat 2 tbsp ghee in a small tempering pan. Once the ghee is hot, add 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1/4 tsp asafoetida. Sauté them for about 10 seconds until they release their fragrance and the ghee becomes aromatic.
-
Final Touch:
- Pour the hot tempering over the prepared dal and give it a good mix. Your Varan Bhaat is now ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions:
- Varan Bhaat is traditionally enjoyed with steamed rice, making it a comforting and nourishing meal. Pair it with a side of spring onion and potato curry for a complete lunch experience.
- While the dal is flavorful on its own, feel free to add a curry leaves tadka for an extra burst of flavor. Simply temper a few curry leaves in ghee along with mustard seeds, if desired.
Enjoy your delicious and nutritious Varan Bhaat, a true Goan classic perfect for any festive or family gathering!
