Gujarati Meetho bhat -a nostalgic gujarati recipe

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Gujarati Meetho Bhat - Flavorful and a very easy rice dish that is made with basmati rice, jaggery, Cinnamon, dry fruits, and ghee.

gujarati meetho bhat(jaggery rice) — Jaggery rice

Me and my mom love meetho bhat

Gujarati Meetho bhat or jaggery rice or sweet rice is a classic Gujarati recipe made during festivals as a part of "prasadam". Prasadam is food that we offer to our god.

However, In my house, Meetho bhat is not restricted to just festivals 🙂 My mom used to make this "meetho bhat" every Saturday with urad dal and rotla for us and I loved that. If you are connected on Instagram with us then you might be aware that I have recently started a series where I will be sharing "recipes I grew up eating" once a week 🙂 I have already shared lemon pickle recipe video.

Ingredients

Below are the ingredients required for meetho bhat.

Basmati rice - I am using basmati rice here but you can use sona masoori or surti kolam rice.

Jaggery - Jaggery is the main ingredient of the recipe. Jaggery is the reason behind the light brown hue of the rice. You can use brown sugar or coconut sugar but traditionally this recipe is made with jaggery.

Dryfruits - a few almonds, cashews, and raisins are a perfect combination. I am using almonds only as my daughter loves almonds.

Ghee - clarified butter.

Cinnamon and black cardamom - These two give a lovely flavor to rice. Cinnamon is a MUST however black cardamom is optional.

Instructions

Soaking rice - My mom said, soaking rice is important for this recipe. Soak rice at least for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, chop your nuts.

Preparing rice - Heat ghee in the pan. Add cinnamon, black cardamom, and chopped nuts.

Saute for a while. Nuts will get a light brown color and will start releasing a nutty fragrance.

Add soaked rice along with water. Also, add jaggery and mix everything well.

Turn the flame on to a medium setting and cook rice until soft and tender. Check if all the water is absorbed.

Rice is ready. Serve hot.

Some other gujarati recipes you need to try

Methi Thepla - gujarati spiced bread recipe.
Khandvi- classic gujarati snack recipe made with gram flour.
Puran Poli - gujrati bread recipe that is sweet and made with lentil stuffing.

FAQs

What is Gujarati Meetho Bhat?

Gujarati Meetho Bhat is a traditional sweet rice dish made with basmati rice, jaggery, ghee, and aromatic spices like cinnamon. It is commonly prepared during festivals and offered as prasad.

Why is jaggery used in Meetho Bhat?

Jaggery gives the rice its authentic flavor and light brown color. It also adds a rich, earthy sweetness compared to regular sugar.

Can I use sugar instead of jaggery?

Yes, you can substitute jaggery with brown sugar, coconut sugar, or white sugar. However, traditional recipe prefers jaggery for better taste and authenticity.

How do I prevent Meetho Bhat from becoming mushy?

Use the correct rice-to-water ratio
Soak rice beforehand
Cook on medium heat without over-stirring

Can I make Meetho Bhat vegan?

Yes! Simply replace ghee with coconut oil or any neutral oil for a vegan version.

What can I serve with Meetho Bhat?

It pairs well with: Gujarati kadhi, Urad dal, Rotla, Jowar bajra roti, or simple chapati

How to store this rice?

After cooking the rice completely, make sure the rice is at room temperature. Store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate it. It will be good for a week. You can also freeze this recipe. Store it in a freezer-friendly ziplock bag or a container and it will be good for 3 months.

Recipe

5 from 2 votes