Bhaat bhaja or Masala rice

You know there is a common problem with me, every time I cook rice for dinner or lunch I always end up making excess rice...no matter how precisely I measure rice before cooking I always end up having some leftover rice...and you know there are some days when you don't want to eat yesterday's leftover rice ...or you don't want to eat the same "daal bhaat"..and also I feel very bad to just throw away the leftovers.

Day before yesterday I had a decent amount of leftover rice in my fridge , I didn't want to throw but I was not ready to eat the rice in a simple way either , so I called my mom and asked her about what I can do with the rice..she reminded me of her "Bhaat bhaja" that she use to prepare sometimes for my school lunch.

Now in this recipe I made some modifications...in fact this is one recipe where you can add or subtract any ingredients according to your taste..like my mom told me to add some roasted jeera or Roasted cumin powder but I skipped it.

As it was a random decision I could not use some vegetables like beans or carrots because of their unavailability in my fridge..but if you want you can add any vegetables you like ..or can do any modifications according to your need.

Ingredients:

Rice- I had 1 and a half bowl of rice

Onion- 1 medium chopped

Tomato- 1 medium finely chopped

Green chilli- 2-3 finely chopped

Green Peas- 1/2 cup

Any vegetables of your choice - finely chopped (carrots and beans are preferable)

Coriander- 1 tablespoon finely chopped

Ginger Garlic paste- 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Cumin seeds- 1 tea spoon

Bay leaf- 1 or 2

Green cardamom- 2-3

Cinnamon- 1/2 stick

Cumin powder- 1/4 tea spoon 

Coriander powder- 1/2 teaspoon

Turmeric- 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder- 1/2 teaspoon

Garam masala powder- 1/4 teaspoon

Salt and Sugar - according to taste

Procedure:

Heat oil in a kadhai or pan and add cumin seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf.

As they start to crackle add the chopped onion , keep the heat in medium.

As the onion becomes transparent add chopped green chilli and the ginger garlic paste, fry them for a minute till the raw smell is gone.

Add chopped tomato and other vegetables (if you want), add a little salt and saute them for another 3-4 minutes keeping the heat in medium.

As the vegetables are done add cumin powder, coriander powder , turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala, cook the masala along with the veggies for another 3-4 minutes.

Add green peas and mix it well with the masala.

Add salt and sugar , mix well.

At this point turn off the heat and slowly start adding the rice in small portions and mixing it simultaneously. Check the salt , if needed add some (Do not over stir the rice , mix it slowly to avoid clumping of rice).

Garnish it with chopped coriander.

And its ready!!!!