Masala Bhath (Maharashtrian Meal)

Ingredients:

• Rice                    - 2 cups

• Brinjals                - 100gms

• Oil                      - ¹/₂ cup

• Cumin seeds        - ¹/₂ tsp

• Turmeric powder - ¹/₄ tsp

• Coriander seeds   - ¹/₂ tsp

• Grated copra        - 1 tbs

• Red chillies           - 2

• Sugar                   - ¹/₂ tsp

• Cashew nuts         - 5

• Grated coconut     - ¹/₂ cup

• Curds                    - ¹/₂ cup

• Cloves                  - 2

• A small piece of cinnamon

• Mustard                - ¹/₂ tsp

• Bay leaf                 - 1

• A few curry leaves

• Coriander leaves    - a few sprigs

Method:

    Soak the beans in water for 12 hours. Drain the water and tie up in a muslin cloth. Hang in a damp place and allow to sprout well. Wash rice and soak in water to which salt has been added. Roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, copra. Powder and keep aside.
    Heat oil in a frying pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves and fry well. Add rice and fry for few minutes. Add brinjals and fry for a few minutes more. Add 2¹/₂ cups of water, powdered ingredients, goda masala, sugar, salt to taste and mix well and cook it.