{"id":"recipe_ac65e17a27","slug":"varan-bhaat","title":"Varan Bhaat","description":"The quintessential Maharashtrian comfort meal featuring creamy, pressure-cooked yellow lentils (Varan) served over fluffy steamed rice (Bhaat) with a generous dollop of ghee.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":35,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1/2 cup Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas)","name":"Toor Dal","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"dried","notes":"Yellow split pigeon peas","group":"Varan","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup Rice","name":"Rice","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"raw","notes":"Kolam or Basmati","group":"Bhaat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 cups Water","name":"Water","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Divided for dal and rice","group":"General","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/4 tsp Turmeric powder","name":"Turmeric","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Varan","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 pinch Asafoetida (Hing)","name":"Asafoetida","quantity":0.5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"pinch","form":"powder","notes":"A very small pinch","group":"Varan","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tbsp Ghee","name":"Ghee","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"solid","notes":"Clarified butter","group":"Tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/2 tsp Cumin seeds","name":"Cumin Seeds","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"5-6 Curry leaves","name":"Curry Leaves","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":"6","usUnit":"each","form":"fresh","notes":"","group":"Tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"Add to taste","group":"General","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse 100g (1/2 cup) of pigeon peas and 200g (1 cup) of rice separately in cold water until the water runs clear.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse 100g of pigeon peas and 200g of rice separately","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed pigeon peas with 500ml (2 cups) of water, 1g (1/4 tsp) turmeric, and a pinch of asafoetida. Cook for 3-4 whistles on medium heat until the dal is very soft.","group":"Cooking the Varan","title":"Add the rinsed pigeon peas","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Varan"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Meanwhile, cook the rice with 500ml (2 cups) of water in a pot or separate pressure cooker compartment until fluffy and fully cooked.","group":"Cooking the Bhaat","title":"Meanwhile, cook the rice","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Bhaat"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Once the pressure releases, open the dal cooker and whisk the lentils with a traditional wooden masher or whisk until smooth and creamy. Add salt to taste.","group":"Finishing the Varan","title":"Once the pressure releases, open the dal cooker","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing the Varan"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a small pan, heat 15ml (1 tbsp) ghee. Add cumin seeds and curry leaves. Once they crackle, pour this tempering over the mashed dal.","group":"Tempering","title":"Heat 15ml ghee","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Tempering"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Serve the hot steaming rice on a plate, pour the varan over it, and add an extra teaspoon of ghee on top for the best experience.","group":"Serving","title":"Serve the hot steaming rice","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For the most authentic flavor, use Kolam rice instead of Basmati. Always serve piping hot. If the dal (varan) thickens too much after cooling, add a splash of hot water to adjust the consistency.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Maharashtrian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["pressureCook","boil"],"equipment":["pressure cooker","whisk","small tempering pan"],"diet":["vegetarian","high_protein"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"servings","note":"A generous lunch for two adults"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Varan can be cooked ahead and stored; rice is best fresh."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store dal and rice in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Add a little water to the dal before reheating in a microwave or on the stovetop."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ac65e17a27%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=09671658-469c-40c7-8ea0-ac62692cb71f","imageAlt":"Varan Bhaat — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["healthy","comfort food","staple","yellow lentils","dal rice"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Varan Bhaat","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:04:33.192Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:04:33.192Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c3ae6a52c8","slug":"moong-dal-khichdi","title":"Moong Dal Khichdi","description":"A comforting, wholesome Indian one-pot meal made with rice and yellow moong lentils, tempered with ghee and mild spices. This version is perfect for a nutritious breakfast.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c3ae6a52c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5460ce62-691a-4f9d-b89e-0431c5210df6","imageAlt":"Moong Dal Khichdi — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","healthy","one pot","moong dal","rice","indian breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}