Bengali Fried Rice/Ghee Bhat

Aromatic Basmati cooked rice is stir fried with ghee, some veggies, cashew nuts, raisins and some dry spices is great side dish with lentil, vegetable, paneer, chicken or meat curries. We Bengali call this pretty, colorful and fragrant rice "Ghee Bhat/Fried Rice" ; it's so very tasty and simple to put together that can easily satisfy the crowd. The flavor is so excellent that makes the whole house smelling heavenly! This rice dish is often served at special occasions like bridal shower, wedding, rice eating, and so many more  ceremonies, festivals or simple family get together. 

This slightly sweet Bengali style Fried Rice is prepared with fresh veggies for authentic and delicious flavor. The rice is washed well to get rid off extra starch soaked and cooked to light and fluffy texture, then combined with the medley of stir fried vegetables, nuts and spices. Everyone raves about this recipe because mostly ground spices were used to avoid bite into the whole spices which is so very unpleasant. Use oil only to make it vegan.  

Ingredients~
1 1/2 cups Basmati rice
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar or to taste
1/2 cup carrot, cut into small strips
1/2 cup green beans, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup green peas
3/4 cup cauliflower florets, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup cashew 
1/3 cup raisins

1/2 tsp ginger paste

4 tbsp ghee

1 tbsp oil
2 bay leaves
1 small piece cinnamon stick

Grind together gorom moshla

3 whole green cardamom

3 cloves

1 tiny piece of cinnamon stick

1 tiny piece of a nutmeg
1 small piece of mace flower

Method~
Wash rice till no starch remains,rinse well, soaked in cold water for 15 minutes and drain it. Bring water to a full rolling boil in a big pan. Add in the rice, half ghee, half salt, bay leaf, half ground spices and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn the heat off and wait d for 5 minutes, then fluff off the rice using a fork. Remove the lid let it cool for awhile.

Heat remaining ghee and oil in a large pan over medium high heat and add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Saute cauliflower for 2-3 minutes followed by green beans, carrots and peas. Add ginger paste and salt. Stir fry for a few minutes, then add in cashews. Cover and cook until veggies are just tender over medium-low heat. Add in remaining ground spices, raisins sugar and give it good stir. Add the cooked rice into the veg and gently stir fry until everything well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with any veg, lentil, chicken or meat curries. Enjoy!

Happy cooking!