Ambemohar Bhaat

Ambemohar Bhaat

Ambemohar Bhaat

Veg

Steamed Ambemohar rice — a fragrant, short-grain heirloom variety grown in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg with a natural mango-blossom aroma. Eaten plain with a knob of ghee alongside curry and sol kadhi, the rice itself is the centrepiece of the Malvani meal.

Cuisines

Malvani

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Total: 45 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

1 cup Ambemohar rice
2 cups water
1 tablespoon ghee
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash the Ambemohar rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.
  2. 2 Soak the rice in water for 20 minutes, then drain.
  3. 3 In a medium-sized pot, heat the ghee over medium heat.
  4. 4 Add the bay leaf, cloves, and cinnamon stick to the ghee and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
  5. 5 Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot and sauté gently for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the rice is well-coated with ghee.
  6. 6 Pour in 2 cups of water and add salt. Stir to combine.
  7. 7 Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
  8. 8 Cook the rice on low heat for 15-20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  9. 9 Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes to allow it to steam.
  10. 10 Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

Tips

For a more aromatic experience, lightly roast the whole spices before adding them to the ghee.