Kanika Bhaat: The Soulful Sweet Rice of Odisha

A traditional Odia sweet rice dish, Kanika Bhaat/Bhat is a must-have during the festive season! Made with aromatic spices, sweet jaggery, and fluffy rice, this recipe is a divine offering to Lord Jagannath. Try it out and relish the flavours of Odisha’s rich culinary heritage!

Watch how to make Kanika bhaat/bhat:

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Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 25 min

Serves: 2-3 people

More festive recipes!

Ingredients:

1-inch cinnamon stick

¼ nutmeg, grated

10-12 black peppercorns

3 cloves

4 green cardamom

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 cups water

1 cup basmati rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes

3 tbsp melted ghee

3 tbsp gur/jaggery powder

½ tsp salt

7 cashews

7 raisins

½ cup hot water

Tulsi leaves, for garnishing

Instructions:

Prepare the Spice Mix

Grind cinnamon, nutmeg, black peppercorns, cloves, green cardamom, and cumin seeds to a fine powder.

Cook the Rice

In a wok, combine 2 cups of water, 1 cup of rice, 2 tablespoons of ghee, gur, ½ tablespoon of the prepared spice mix, and salt. Gently swirl or shake the pan to mix all the ingredients without stirring with a spatula.

Cover the wok and cook on a low flame for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the flavours and cook evenly.

Add Nuts and Continue Cooking

After 15 minutes, uncover the wok and add cashews, raisins, ½ tablespoon of the spice mix, and ½ cup of hot water. Cover the wok again and cook on a low flame for 5 minutes. The hot water will help to cook the rice further, while the cashews and raisins will add crunch and sweetness.

Finish with Ghee

Uncover the wok and add 1 tablespoon of ghee. Turn off the flame and cover the wok again. Let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing the ghee to melt and infuse into the rice, making it fluffy and aromatic.

Garnish and Serve

Finally, garnish with fresh tulsi leaves and serve.

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Sneha Paul

Kanika Bhaat

A traditional Odia sweet rice dish, Kanika Bhaat/Bhat is a must-have during the festive season! Made with aromatic spices, sweet jaggery, and fluffy rice, this recipe is a divine offering to Lord Jagannath.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 3 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• ¼ nutmeg grated
• 10-12 black peppercorns
• 3 cloves
• 4 green cardamom
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup basmati rice washed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 3 tbsp melted ghee
• 3 tbsp gur/jaggery powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 7 cashews
• 7 raisins
• ½ cup hot water
• Tulsi leaves for garnishing

Method

 

Make Spice Mix:

1. Grind cinnamon, nutmeg, black peppercorns, cloves, green cardamom, and cumin to a fine powder.

Cook Rice:

1. Combine 2 cups water, rice, 2 tbsp ghee, gur, ½ tbsp spice mix, and salt in a wok. Gently swirl or shake the pan to mix all the ingredients without stirring with a spatula.
2. Cover and cook on a low flame for 15 minutes.
3. Uncover, add cashews, raisins, ½ tbsp spice mix, and ½ cup hot water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Uncover, add 1 tbsp ghee, and turn off the flame. Cover and rest for 5 minutes, allowing the ghee to melt and infuse into the rice, making it fluffy and aromatic.
5. Serve garnished with tulsi leaves.

If you try this recipe, please share your experience with me by posting a picture of the dish using #temptingtreat and @temptingtreat on Instagram, or you can also give your feedback in the comments section below.

Happy Cooking!