7 Minute Indian Fried Masala Rice

Vagharela Bhaat aka Indian Fried Rice

A quick and easy leftover white rice recipe that is stir fried with Indian spices, garlic, and herbs which can be made in under 10 minutes. This vagharelo bhaat recipe is a classic Gujurati dish that can be eaten as a snack, side, or with a cup hot chai for brunch. Include this gluten free masala fried rice on a family-friendly menu to introduce global cuisines to your loved ones.

Indian Fried Rice

A classic Gujarati recipe that includes left over white rice is exactly what this dish is. A few herbs and spices takes a plain bowl of rice a long way especially when accompanied with a cup of hot chai. Be sure to include this recipe on your menu soon. You will not be disappointed.

What kind of rice do I need for Indian Fried Rice?

Honestly, any that you have leftover in your fridge will do. Indian recipes usually consist of basmati rice or long grain jasmine rice. Either is great for this recipe as long as it is leftover rice because the day old cooked rice will stir fry to a better texture. I personally purchase basmati rice from either Trader Joes or use Lundberg Family Farm rice. Either will work great for this Indian basmati fried rice recipe.

Is this Indian Fried Rice recipe spicy?

Only if you make it spicy! Skip the peppers and the recipe is kid friendly and can be enjoyed as a side or a main meal. With the addition of yogurt as protein, I would call it a complete meal.

What Indian Spices are essential?

In my experience a masala daba (masala container) is very important for Indian cooking. They vary in size but some of my most essential everyday spices are readily available in this type of a container.

What spices are in my masala dhaba?

1. mustard seeds
2. cumin seeds
3. ajwain seeds
4. asaefatido (hing)
5. turmeric powder
6. coriander powder
7. red chili powder

This is what we call “vaghalo rice” . A recipe made for generations behind and still hits home to Gujarati’s everywhere. One taste and I have no doubt it will become your favorite too.

What can I add to Indian Fried Rice for extra nutrition?

You can add Greek Yogurt (or sour cream in my case) and vegetables such as chopped spinach to add some protein and greens to the dish. Plus a lot of garlic should be added. Because garlic is definitely a shot caller in this dish. If I could, I would call it garlic vagharelo bhaat, but I didnt come up with this recipe… many generation granny most likely did.

GARLIC IS EVERYTHING!

How can I make fluffy white rice?

I have the perfect recipe for you! White rice is a staple in my kitchen since my kids and family love it so much. We make it a few times a week and when I do, I always try to make extra. Give this recipe a try here. For this recipe, you will need cooled or left over white rice. Don’t worry, it takes minutes to make if you want to continue making this recipe. Just follow my rice recipe here .

Substitutes

I understand if you don’t have a few of the spices. Honestly, there are so many variation of this dish that some may not include every ingredient listed and have other ingredients I didn’t list. I personally don’t like Fenugreek Seeds, but it is very common to add to this dish.

With that said, don’t let the list of spices scare you. Work with what you have. Because, this recipe was initially made to use up leftovers anyways :).

I highly recommend rice, yogurt/sour cream, turmeric, fresh garlic, fresh green chili pepper, and salt at the least.

Step-by-Step Details for Vagharelo Bhaat

Mix the contents together

Indian Fried Rice Recipe

📖 Recipe

Indian Fried Rice

Ingredients

RICE MIXTURE

• ▢ 4 cups white rice, cooked and loosely measured
• ▢ 3 tablespoon yogurt or sour cream
• ▢ 2-3 cloves garlic, grated
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried coriander powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ▢ ½ medium yellow or red onion, chopped finely or chunked (your preference)
• ▢ 1 jalapeno, minced (can use less or more)
• ▢ 1 jalapeno, chunked (optional)
• ▢ salt

TEMPERED OIL

• ▢ 1 teaspoon jeera seeds
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon asafaetido (hing)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• ▢ 3 curry leaves (optional
• ▢ generous amount of cooking oil
• ▢ finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

RICE MIXTURE

• Combine cold rice, turmeric, yogurt, garlic, grated chili pepper, and dried coriander powder together.
• Mix it well and set it aside.

TEMPERED OIL (work fast)

• In a wide pan, heat a generous amount of cooking oil.
• Add mustard seeds and then the jeera seeds. Let them pop for 5-10 seconds.
• Immediately add the hing, curry leaves, chopped jalapeno, and the diced onion (in that order).
• Cook until the onion is brown on the outside and tender on the inside (about 1 minute).
• Add the rice to the pan and mix.
• You will notice the color of the rice will begin to change and the rice will stick to the pan.
• Continue to stir and add more oil if needed (can use water instead as well but I don’t recommend it).
• Cover and cook for a few additional minutes on low heat.
• Top with fresh cilantro and serve!

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

Indian Fried Rice

Ingredients

RICE MIXTURE

• 4 cups white rice, cooked and loosely measured
• 3 tablespoon yogurt or sour cream
• 2-3 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 teaspoon dried coriander powder
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ medium yellow or red onion, chopped finely or chunked (your preference)
• 1 jalapeno, minced (can use less or more)
• 1 jalapeno, chunked (optional)
• salt

TEMPERED OIL

• 1 teaspoon jeera seeds
• ¼ teaspoon asafaetido (hing)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 3 curry leaves (optional
• generous amount of cooking oil
• finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

RICE MIXTURE

• Combine cold rice, turmeric, yogurt, garlic, grated chili pepper, and dried coriander powder together.
• Mix it well and set it aside.

TEMPERED OIL (work fast)

• In a wide pan, heat a generous amount of cooking oil.
• Add mustard seeds and then the jeera seeds. Let them pop for 5-10 seconds.
• Immediately add the hing, curry leaves, chopped jalapeno, and the diced onion (in that order).
• Cook until the onion is brown on the outside and tender on the inside (about 1 minute).
• Add the rice to the pan and mix.
• You will notice the color of the rice will begin to change and the rice will stick to the pan.
• Continue to stir and add more oil if needed (can use water instead as well but I don’t recommend it).
• Cover and cook for a few additional minutes on low heat.
• Top with fresh cilantro and serve!

Recipe Courtesy of The Curry Mommy

This ancient Indian method will help keep your fresh cilantro stay crisp and green until your next produce run, trust. Read below to see how to store cilantro and other leafy green herbs to keep them fresh for weeks at a time! In this post, I introduce my “roll” technique and then advise refrigerating the tasty herb. You won’t be disappointed.

How to Keep Cilantro Fresh

Because of the world pandemic, I went back to an old technique and what I discovered was mind-blowing!

How to keep cilantro fresh longer?

Dry the herb completely before storing it away. I recommend laying them on a towel and then rolling the towel like a pinwheel. The extra layer of moisture-capturing cotton will help keep the cilantro fresh for a lot longer.

Keeping cilantro fresh has never been easier with the use of these cotton towels and my rolling technique. Read my Step by Step instructions on my fail-proof method of keeping cilantro fresh for weeks at a time.

How this method came about

I decided to pull out my cotton kitchen towels and stored cilantro wrapped in them for about 10 days. During these days, I checked on my cilantro and removed a few yellow/brown pieces that might be the bad “leaf” in the bunch. Honestly, there were a few to none. Regardless, I wouldn’t want those suckers ruining the others. Afterward I rolled it back into a nice burrito, placed it in a plastic bag, sealed it shut, and placed the herb back in the fridge.

THEN… I forgot about it for a week. Literally , I forgot about that entire bag of cilantro. After a week went by, I opened the bag and unfolded the towel. The result was shocking! This is why I am here sharing the results with you.

My previous trial and errors have been:

1. wrapping in newspaper or paper towels
2. using special cilantro containers (I have no space in my fridge)
3. finely cutting the cilantro and placing it in a container with a paper towel on the bottom and top (works well for a week)
4. pre-washing and then drying overnight
5. leaving it as is from the grocery store (guilty AF)

Not going to lie, I didn’t make it a priority to learn how to keep my cilantro fresh for longer than a week, until this pandemic hit! I am very thankful for companies like Farm Fresh To You which are able to deliver fresh groceries. Even then, keeping cilantro fresh became a priority.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. After purchasing and coming home, unwrap the cilantro from the bundle and shake off any excess water that you may have brought home (in a sink or outside).
2. Cut the ends off of the cilantro and take out any yellow or brown ends/leaves.
3. DO NOT WASH THE CILANTRO!
4. Lay the cilantro on a hand towel and let it air dry for no more than an hour or two (until the water is completely dry)
5. Grab this towel or something similar and lay it flat on a counter space .
6. Lay the cilantro evenly on top of the towel with stems all on one side and tips on the other.
7. Begin lightly rolling the cilantro from one end to the other tucking in the ends as you go (like a burrito).
8. Place the towel inside a plastic bag (Ziploc) and seal it shut with very little air inside the bag.
9. Refrigerate the whole bag.
10. Check the bag once a week to remove the bad leaves and stems.
11. Wash the cilantro before using it.

What’s my big tip to keep cilantro fresh?

Don’t wash it! Not. Joking. I think over the years we became accustomed to washing all of our herbs and veggies as soon as we get them, but this one tip is saving my herbs!

To give me more of a peace of mind- I thought about what I do to onions, potatoes, garlic, etc after purchasing and bringing them home. I don’t wash it until I use it… That gave me a better sense of calm to adjust to this new habit and quite frankly I am happy to say that my produce is lasting longer.

What towel do I recommend?

These thin cotton towels are a big savior when it comes to wrapping the herb. They are very useful for everyday tasks and kitchen hacks. Plus, they wash well and store in a compact space. Your mind will be blown, hands down! Click below to purchase or see if you have something similar hanging out in your home already :).

Other ways to use these cotton towels

• everyday dusting and cleaning
• reusable paper towels!
• keep herbs such as parsley and dill fresh
• dish towel
• cheese cloth for paneer, seekan, labneh, etc
• rags

Recipes that use cilantro

• Jeera Chicken

• Cilantro Sauce

• Cilantro Chicken Wings

• Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Paneer Makhani)

• Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken

• Easy Indo Chinese Chicken Curry with Onions

• One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Hope you found this information helpful! Let me know if this trick worked for you. I really enjoy hearing from you.

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