firstly, wishing all my readers who celebrate a happy ganesh chaturthi.
after posting two sweet recipes in a row, i thought i post about an important dish that is made during the ganesh chaturthi festival in the regions of goa and konkan – varan bhaat.
in english it would read as lentil-rice where varan stands for lentil curry or stew and bhaat means steamed rice. this varan is different from the maharashtrian varan and has fresh coconut added to it with minimal spices.
i make this varan bhaat with coconut often. i had made the varan bhaat some weeks ago and hence the pics do not have a festive feel to them. the post was lying in the drafts and i thought it is a good ocassion to write this post.
the dal is served in the naivedyam or bhog we offer to lord ganesha along with the other veggies dishes & sweets. this is satvik dal with no onion and garlic added to it.
on other occasions, you can have the dal with some steamed rice. goes well with some ghee on top. this is one delicious varan and you must try it.
varan bhaat recipe details below:
- ½ cup moong dal/split & skinned mung lentils
- ½ cup arhar dal/spilt and skinned pigeon pea lentils
- 2 to 2.5 cups water for pressure cooking
- add 1 or 1.5 more water later (optional)
- ½ tsp turmeric powder/haldi
- 5-6 curry leaves (optional)
- 1 tsp crushed cumin or cumin powder/jeera powder
- a pinch of asafoetida/hing
- 1 cup fresh grated coconut – ground with little water
- salt as required
- pick, rinse the lentils couple of times in water.
- pressure cook the lentils till they soft.
- mash them with a spoon or ladle.
- add coconut paste to the cooked lentils and mix well.
- then add cumin powder, turmeric powder & curry leaves and salt.
- mix again.
- add water to thin the dal if required.
- keep the dal on the stove and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- serve with steamed rice and some ghee.
instead of combination of moong or arhar dal, you can also add 1 cup of arhar or moong dal instead.
you can also grind the coconut with cumin seeds and then add to the dal.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I meant recipes, I have tried some and they really came out well for my expectation.
Hey your recipe timing and presentation both are just awesome.Its really amazing to have them as they easy to understand and follow and try. Thank you
thanks mansi. nice to know that you tried some of the blog’s recipes and they have turned out well.
Hi Dassana. In South Africa we miss a lot of indian veg, but I will try this one out
do make the varan bhaat shyama. it is delicious.
Dal with rice and ghee- absolutely up for it any time! Curry leaves and coconut in it sound like an addition I would love to try.
And hope you had a fun ganesh chaturthi!
Hi Dassana,
I am a bachelor hence your various recipes are really easy to make and a treat to savour at all times and even during festivals. Many many thanks and keep the good work. We all wish you to bring many more recipes on our dining table. Happy Ganesh Chathurthi.
Umesh Mendon
thanks umesh for your lovely words. felt good and inspired
For living in the middle of America in a rural area, I think I have done a pretty good job cultivating my Indian pantry! But fresh coconut continues to elude me.
Would either dried UNsweetened or canned coconut milk substitute here? Because it looks delicious!
dear laura, i appreciate the fact that you have done a good job of having an indian pantry. dry unsweetened coconut or coconut milk also substitutes well in this dal. do give it a try. when i do not have fresh coconut, i make the dal with dry coconut. just when grinding the dry coconut, grind the coconut with warm water.
Ganesh chaturthi is today right? My neighbor is celebrating this weekend and we’re attending. Hope you have a nice celebration! I’ve never tried this but looks interesting and I’d love to taste it.
in india ganesh chaturthi was yesterday. do have a good time nami
Hi Dassana,
Varan bhaat is my favorite food. This is comfort food to me. Load it with ghee and have a nice batata bhaji along with it. Yum!!!
After seeing your post, I plan to make this for lunch today.
it is mine too. i usually make the varan with some side veggie dish like tendli upkari or cabbage upkari. even with batata bhaji it tastes yum.
Lovely! I liked how you add coconut to dal. Sounds delicious.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi
happy ganesh chaturthi to you too kiran.
Such simple and nourishing food..can eat it the whole year long!
I am going to make prasad for Ganesh chaturthi..will definately add this:)
yummy ..yumm
xoxo