Recipe- Traditional Maharashtrian Style Tendli Rice

Tendli in English means Ivy gourd and bhaat means rice. Tendli bhaat also called tondli cha bhaat is a mildly spiced rice recipe mostly made during festive or special occasions. This is a vegan, no onion & no garlic satvik recipe.

Tendli bhaat / tondli cha bhaat is a traditional Maharashtrian recipe served at weddings, thread ceremonies, gatherings, or any special occasions.

Today I am sharing the recipe tondli cha bhaat Maharashtrian style. Tondli is also known as tendli / ivy gourd / kovakkai is a vegetable that is mostly found in Asian countries.

Ingredients

2 cups Rice
Half cup Tondli / Tendli / Tindora / Ivy Gourd cut in lengthwise or roundels.
1/4th cup Green peas (optional)
1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
1 teaspoon jeera seeds
4 Cloves
5-6 Black Peppercorns
1 inch Cinamon stick (Dalchini)
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1/4th teaspoon Hing (Asafoetida)
2 Green chilled split in between
1 teaspoon crushed Ginger or use ginger paste
2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
2 teaspoon Goda Masala (If you don’t have goda masala use garam masala (taste would differ)
Fresh scrapped Coconut to garnish
Fresh chopped Coriander leaves / Cilantro for garnishing
Water to cook the rice
2 tablespoon oil

Method

For Tondli / Tendli

- Wash and pat dry tondli / tendli. Cut the tendli lengthwise (vertically) or in roundels (as per your choice). I have cut it lengthwise.

For Rice

- Wash rice thoroughly under running tap water till water runs clear. Keep the washed rice aside for half an hour (do not soak in water).

Let’s begin the actual process!

- In a thick bottom pan/kadhai, heat 2 tablespoons of oil.

- Once hot, add mustard seeds, jeera seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, dalchini ( cinnamon), and saute for 5 seconds. Add hing (asafoetida), turmeric powder, green chillies, and 1 teaspoon crushed ginger.

- Saute this masala for 15 -20 seconds. Add tondli / tendli along with green peas and saute for about 10-15 minutes.

- Now add washed rice along with red chili powder, goda masala and salt. Mix everything well.

- Add 4 cups of water and mix well. Check the seasoning at this time.

- Now cover the rice with the lid and let it cook on low flame till rice & vegetables are cooked perfectly.

- Tondli cha bhaat – Maharashtrian style is ready.

- Garnish with freshly scraped coconut and finely chopped coriander leaves.