Phodnicha Bhaat Spicy Tempered Rice Recipe

Maharashtrian leftover rice recipe

This phodnicha bhaat is a spicy tempered rice recipe from Maharashtra. It is a one dish meal and easy to make. It is made using left over rice. You can make it with freshly cooked rice too.

Though this phodnicha bhaat is a Marathi fried rice recipe, most Indian states have their own versions of this spicy seasoned rice. It is known as Talimpu annam, popu annam, thalicha sadam etc in the south Indian states.

Phodnicha bhaat is usually made to use up left over rice. But it is so tasty, that you will want to make it with freshly cooked rice even when there is no left over rice.

Leftover / refrigerated rice is usually a little dry and you can use it as it is.

The rice for this recipe should not be mushy. So add a little less water if making fresh rice. Let the rice cool a bit (so that it does not break while mixing) before adding to the tempering.

You can make it for any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Make it when you do not have time to cook an elaborate meal, accompaniments for plain rice.

How to make phodnicha bhaat - Spicy tempered rice

Ingredients for phodnicha bhaat for two servings

Rice, pre cooked/leftover - 2 cups
Red chili powder - 1/4 tsp, more or less according to taste.
Salt - 1 teaspoon or to taste

Ingredients For tempering:

Vegetable oil or Ghee(clarified butter) - 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch

Optional additional ingredients

Onion chopped - 1/4 cup
Fresh Coriander leaves(Cilantro) - 1 tbsp chopped
Curry leaves - 4-5
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Fresh grated coconut - 1 table spoon
Green fresh or dry red chili - 1 No.
Peanuts (ground nuts) - 8-10
metkoot/menthya hittu (optional)- 1 tbsp

Preparation for making phodnicha bhaat - Spicy tempered rice

Chop/slit chili if using
Chop coriander leaves
If rice is lumpy, break the lumps using your fingers or a fork. Keep aside.

Cooking phodnicha bhaat - fodnicha bhat - Maharashtrian spicy rice

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and let them splutter.
When they stop crackling, Add asafetida, turmeric powder
Add chopped chili, curry leaves. Fry for 5 seconds.
Add chopped onion and fry for a few seconds.

Cover and cook for a minute or two, till onions are just done.

Add rice, red chili powder and salt. I added some metkoot (optional) also. Mix well.
Here is metkoot/menthya hittu recipe.

Cover and cook for a minute.
Add chopped coriander leaves, fresh grated coconut. Mix.

Phodnicha bhaat - Maharashtrian spicy rice with leftover or fresh rice

Phodnicha bhaat / spicy tempered rice is ready. Serve it as a meal by itself or with a cucumber or tomato salad and papad. The combination of turmeric and red chili powder gives it a lovely color.

Tips - Variations

You can see that the basic recipe needs very few ingredients. You may add the optional spices and ingredients for a variety and according to the liking of your family.
You may add 1/2 tsp chana dal and 1/2 tsp urad dal after the mustard seeds have crackled.
You may add 1/4 tsp garam masala or maharashtrian goda masala.
You may add 1/4 tsp rasam powder or sambar powder.
You may add chopped or crushed garlic and ginger.
you may use ginger garlic paste.
You may add other chopped vegetables such as potato, fresh green peas. I usually add only onion.