Bagala Baath

Bagara Bath, also known as Bagara Annam or Bagala Bath, is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish from the Indian state of Telangana. It's a type of biryani where rice is cooked with whole spices and is usually served with yogurt-based curry or chutney.

Ingredients:

For Rice:

• 1 cup Basmati rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) or oil
• Whole spices (2-3 cloves, 1-inch cinnamon stick, 2-3 green cardamom pods, 1 bay leaf)
• Salt to taste

For Bagara Masala:

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook Rice:

   • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add soaked and drained rice, along with whole spices, ghee (or oil), and salt.
   • Cook the rice until it's 70-80% done. Drain any excess water and set aside.

2. Prepare Bagara Masala:

   • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

3. Add Ginger-Garlic Paste and Green Chilies:

   • Add ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies to the pan. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.

4. Add Tomatoes and Spices:

   • Add chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they turn mushy.
   • Then, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for another couple of minutes.

5. Combine Rice and Masala:

   • Add the partially cooked rice to the masala in the pan. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the rice is coated well with the masala.

6. Steam Bagara Bath:

   • Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and let the Bagara Bath cook on low heat for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the rice to cook completely.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Once the rice is cooked through and all the moisture is absorbed, remove the pan from heat.
   • Garnish Bagara Bath with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with yogurt-based curry or chutney.

Enjoy the fragrant and flavorful Bagara Bath as a delicious main dish during your meal! Adjust the spice levels according to your taste preference.