Varan Bhaat
Varan Bhaat is a comforting and nutritious staple from Maharashtra, India, featuring simple, lightly spiced lentil stew (varan) served over steamed rice (bhaat). This vegan recipe offers a taste of home-cooked simplicity and warmth.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 40 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 438 kcal
Allergen information: may contain mustard. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
varan
- 0.75 cuptoor dal, rinsed
- 3 cupwater
- 0.25 tspturmeric powder
- 0.75 tspsalt
bhaat
- 1.5 cupbasmati rice, rinsed
- 3 cupwater
tempering
- 1 tbspoil
- 0.5 tspmustard seed
- 0.5 tspcumin seed
- 0.25 tspasafetida
- 1 pcsgreen chili, slit
- 8 pcscurry leaf
garnish
- 2 tbspcilantro, chopped
Equipment
small pan · pot · whisk · pressure cooker
The method
Step by step
- 1
Combine the varan toor dal, water, turmeric powder, and half of the salt in a pressure cooker.
- 2
Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles, then allow the pressure to release naturally.
About 15 min
Cook’s note: Alternatively, cook in a pot until dal is very soft, about 30-40 minutes.
- 3
While the dal cooks, combine the bhaat basmati rice and water in a separate pot.
- 4
Bring the rice to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until all water is absorbed.
About 15 min
- 5
Once the dal is cooked, mash it thoroughly with a whisk or masher until smooth.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Add a little hot water if it's too thick.
- 6
Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat for the tempering.
About 1 min
- 7
Add the mustard seed and let them splutter.
About 1 min
- 8
Add the cumin seed, asafetida, green chili, and curry leaf, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
About 1 min
- 9
Pour the tempering over the mashed dal and stir well. Add the remaining salt to taste.
About 1 min
- 10
Serve the varan hot over the steamed bhaat basmati rice, garnished with cilantro.
Cook’s note: Enjoy with a squeeze of lime or a spoonful of ghee (if not vegan).
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 437.6kcal
- Protein
- 13.6g
- Carbs
- 82.7g
- Fat
- 5.1g
- Fibre
- 6.1g
- Sugar
- 1.7g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover varan and bhaat separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Reheat varan gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed. Reheat rice in the microwave or by steaming.
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