This is the specialty of Vidharbha, which is the north-eastern region of the Indian state of Maharashtra, I learnt this ‘Gola Bhaat’ from my husband's aunty, who's a fantastic cook. It's a slightly lengthy process but worth the effort, to enjoy something different. This is a gluten free meal. If you don't want to enjoy it with kadhi then even vegan's can enjoy this meal. My daughter enjoyed this minus the kadhi.
In the gola/balls adding yogurt is optional, but, adding it gives a softer gola /balls.
1 Cup Measurement = 250 ML
Serves 3
Ingredients
For The Gola / Balls / Dumplings
1 Cup Coarsely Ground Besan/Gram Flour
1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves
1 Teaspoon Coriander powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
¼ Teaspoon Ajwain Seeds
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly Powder
1 Tablespoon Heaped Roasted & Coarsely Powdered Peanuts
1 Tablespoon Heaped Roasted Dry Coconut
A Pinch Asafoetida
1 Tablespoon Yogurt - optional
2 Tablespoons Heaped Oil
4 Curry Leaves - finely chopped For The Rice/Bhaat
1 Cup Rice - I used Wada Kolam
2½ - 2¾ Cup Water
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
A Pinch Asafoetida
1 Tablespoon Lemon juice
For the Tadka
2 Tablespoon Heaped Oil
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
3 Cloves Garlic - slit
2 Dried Red Chillies
A Sprig Curry Leaves For The Kadhi
½ Cup Yogurt - slightly sour
Water as required
1 Teaspoon Heaped Besan/Gram Four
1½ Tablespoon Heaped Oil
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
5 Grains Fenugreek Seeds
2 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
¼ Teaspoon chopped Ginger
1 Sprig Curry Leaves
2 Green Chillies - slit
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
A Pinch Asafoetida
Method
For The Gola / Balls / Dumplings In a large bowl, mix together the besan and all the given dry ingredients well, add yogurt and oil and mix well with your hand. Now knead to make a slightly stiff dough, add more oil if necessary a teaspoon at a time( do not add water to make the dough, it will make the duplings/gola's hard. Add oil since this will make the dumplings/gola's soft). Cover the dough with a damp cloth and keep aside for 10 - 15 minutes.
Then make small marble size gola's/dumplings from the dough. In the meantime lets start with the rice.
For The Gola Bhaat
Wash the rice well and soak it for 20 minutes. After the soaking time drain all the water.
In a mud handi/trezal , add 2½ cups water, salt, turmeric powder, lemon juice, asafoetida and the rice.
Bring this water to a rolling boil, lightly stirring it, when it comes to a boil add oil, again lightly stir it. Reduce the flame to medium high and let the rice cook till 50% done only or till it water is just a little above the rice.
Now arrange all the gola/dumplings, lightly press them with a spatula . Cover with a lid add ½ cup water on the lid and let this cook on medium low flame till the rice is fully done , yet each grain should be separated. Open the lid every 2 minutes and lightly stir it with a spatula.
The Gola Bhaat is done... When the rice is cooked keep it covered till we make the Kadhi to enjoy with it.
For the Tadka
Heat oil in a tadka pan, add mustard seeds when they crackle add the garlic, when the garlic changes color add the dried red chillies, stir it lightly , switch of the flame add the curry leaves. Pour this over the rice and we are ready to serve.
To Make the Kadhi
Whisk the yogurt well in a large bowl. Add the besan and whisk it well so that no lumps are formed.
Add 1¼ cup water and whisk it again ,salt to taste, turmeric powder.
Heat oil in large pot/kadai, add the mustard seeds , when the crackle, add the fenugreek seeds, when they start to brown add the chopped ginger, garlic and asafoetida, sauté till it starts to change color, add the curry leaves, slit green chillies, turmeric, fry for a minute. Take this off the flame and add the yogurt besan mixture, whisk it well. Place this back on the flame and on medium high keep whisking continuously till it comes to a rolling boil, reduce the flame to medium low, let it simmer till it thicken a little for about 15 to 20 minutes. Add coriander leaves and it's ready to serve. Serve this with papad, pickle and salad. When you eating mash the gola/dumplings lightly and mix it with the rice, pour the kadhi.
Enjoy... Nagpur Varhadi Thali!!
My Notes
If the yogurt is not slightly sour add a teaspoon of lemon juice, whisk it nicely check for sourness or add more.
Labels: Nagpur, Maharastrian Cuisine, Rice, Kadhi, Yogurt, Besan, Main course, Thali, Sunday Funday, Vegetarian, Gluten free, Vegan, Pulao, Dumplings
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