Fodnicha Bhaat

What would you do with a bowl of leftover rice? Would you throw it or make a simple stir fried rice that will be ready in 10 minutes but taste great?

Fodnicha bhaat is one of my favorite rice dishes. Aai used to make it when she would be bored of eating leftover rice alone. Of course, we wouldn't touch the rice being averse to all leftover items. So, mom used to add an onion make the rice spicy.

Fodni is a simple tempering of mustard, asafetida, and turmeric powder added to the rice. You can use the same method to make Fodnichi Poli or Fodnicha Bread by substituting cooked rice with chapati pieces or bread crumbs.

I usually don't make this rice as I seldom have any leftover rice. During weekdays, we make 1 cup rice and 1 cup daal and this suffices us for around 2 days. If ever there is any leftover rice, I simply mix it with some puliogare paste. Mom had made Fodnicha bhaat during our recent India trip and P liked it so much that he made me cook it on a weekend.

Fodnicha bhaat/ Stir fried rice
Serves:3
Ready in: 15 minutes (if you are using left-over rice)

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup cooked rice (left over or fresh)


2. 4 green chillies - washed and chopped fine


3. 10-15 curry leaves - washed


4. 1 small onion - chopped fine


5. 1 tsp mustard seeds


6. Pinch of asafetida


7. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder


8. Salt to taste


9. 1/4 tsp red chilli powder

Method:

1. Separate the rice in a plate. Add salt to taste and 1/4 tsp red chilli powder in the rice and mix well.



2. Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds, and once they splutter, add asafetida and 1/2 tsp turmeric.



3. Next, add the green chillies and curry leaves. Fry for around 30 secs. Add the chopped onion and fry till it turns light brown.



4. Add the rice and mix together all the ingredients. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes. Serve hot.

You can add leftover vegetables in this rice to make Mixed Vegetable Stir Fried Rice. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.