The moment I hear the word “bhat bhaja” (fried rice), that instantly takes me back to my school days. My mother used to store the leftover rice from the previous day in the fridge. The next morning, she would quickly make bhat bhaja for me to take as my school lunchbox.

Just as it was easy for my mother to cook, bhat bhaja was also one of my favorite foods. As a result, my mother didn’t have to worry about preparing any other food for me. In the morning, before leaving for her work, she would make bhat bhaja for me by mixing 1 onion, vegetables and 1-2 eggs with the rice.

Interestingly, my mother would ask me the night before what I wanted to take the next morning – noddles or bhat bhaja. And accordingly, she would prepare my tiffin.

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What is Bhat Bhaja?

Bhat Bhaja is a favourite breakfast or light meal for Bengalis. The name literally translates to “fried rice,” with bhat meaning “rice” and bhaja meaning “fried.” It is traditionally made with leftover rice from the previous day, along with onions, vegetables (such as peas, carrots), eggs, and peanuts,

My Bhat Bhaja Recipe

The main ingredients for my Bhat Bhaja recipe include leftover cooked rice, onions, eggs, and nuts. These ingredients are mixed together and then fried to create a flavorful dish.

How to make Bhat Bhaja:

Heat the Oil: In a pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
Fry Peanuts : Fry peanuts on a low heat until fragrant and colour turn brown about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper-towel lined plates to drain oil.
Fyr eggs : Next pour eggs in the oil, sprinkle pinch of salt and turmeric (if you want). stir continuously and scrumble them. Fry the eggs until fry well.
Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onions and green chilies. Sauté until the onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Incorporate the Rice: Add the cooked rice to the pan and break up any large clumps with a spatula. Mix well to combine with the spices.
Spice it Up: Add the turmeric powder and stir to coat the rice. Cook for another minute.
Seasoning Time: Season with salt to taste and sugar to balance the taste. As the rice well coated with spices spread fries peanuts and eggs.

Serving suggestion:

Serve hot with your favorite side dish. Bhat Bhaja pairs perfectly with any chicken recipe like Chicken Rezala or Chicken Roast.

Recipe Video

FAQ:

Q: Can I use fresh rice instead of leftover rice to make Bhat Bhaja?

A: For Bhat Bhaja leftover rice works best. you can difinately use freshly cooked rice. But before using freshly cooked rice wait fora while to cool down.

Q: Can I customize the spices in Bhat Bhaja according to my preference?

A: Yes, you can customize Bhat bhaja with using different spices and vegetables according to to preference.

Q: Can I store leftover Bhat Bhaja for later consumption?

A: Yes, you can store leftover Bhat Bhaja in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat it before serving for the best taste and texture.

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