Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare the Cooking Station

   Set up a traditional open-fire cooking station using bricks and wood.

2. 2.Wash and Soak Rice

   Pour 2 cups of rice into a bowl, add water, and let it soak. This step is crucial for achieving fluffy rice.

3. 3.Prepare Potatoes

   Take 3 medium potatoes and cut them into medium-sized chunks.

4. 4.Heat Oil and Temper Spices

   Place a pot over the fire. Add 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil and let it heat. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter.

5. 5.Add Curry Leaves and Potatoes

   Add a small handful of curry leaves to the pot. Immediately add the chopped potatoes and stir well. Sauté the potatoes for 5-7 minutes until they are lightly browned.

6. 6.Harvest and Chop Tomatoes

   Pick 4-5 small tomatoes from the garden. Wash them thoroughly and chop them into small, even pieces.

7. 7.Add Dry Spices

   To the sautéed potatoes, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of red chili powder. Stir thoroughly to coat the potatoes evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are fragrant.

8. 8.Add Tomatoes and Simmer

   Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and mix them well with the potatoes and spices. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices. Add salt to taste.

9. 9.Add Water and Cook Curry

   Pour 1.5-2 cups of water into the curry. Stir everything together and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are tender and the curry has thickened to your desired consistency.

10. 10.Cook Rice

    In a separate pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Add the pre-soaked rice to the boiling water and cook until the rice is tender and fluffy. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes.

11. 11.Harvest and Chop Coriander

    While the curry and rice are cooking, pick a small bunch of fresh coriander leaves from the garden. Wash them and chop them finely.

12. 12.Finish Potato Curry

    Add the chopped fresh coriander leaves to the potato curry and give it a final stir. Remove the pot from the fire.

13. 13.Drain Cooked Rice

    Once the rice is cooked, carefully drain the excess water using a colander.

14. 14.Assemble Shaak Bhaat

    On a large serving plate, spread the prepared potato curry evenly. Create a mound of the fluffy cooked rice in the center of the curry.

15. 15.Garnish and Serve

    Spoon some more potato curry over the rice mound. Garnish the entire dish with a few fresh coriander leaves for added flavor and presentation. The Shaak Bhaat is now ready to be enjoyed.