Varan bhaat is a vegan,[1] Indian food preparation involving pigeon pea dal and rice as its main ingredients.[2] It belongs to Marathi and Goan cuisine. Its other ingredients are turmeric powder, cumin seeds, asafoetida, jaggery and salt.[3][4] According to Sanjeev Kapoor, it is a part of a Goan wedding meal.[4] Naivedhya offered to GanapationGanesh Chaturthi includes varan bhaat.[5] It has been described as a favourite dish or comfort food by celebrities such as Priya Bapat,[6] Yatin Karyekar,[7] and the late Bhimsen Joshi.[8] Shobha De describes herself as one who is "as Marathi as varan bhaat", thus considering it as a quintessentially Marathi food preparation.[9] Varan bhaat has been described as "filling and non-spicy" and good to have during the Indian summers.[10] According to Tarla Dalal, the Gujarati preparation "lachko dal" and rice combination is similar to varan bhaat.[11]ACNN story includes it in the list of "40 Mumbai foods we can't live without",[12] describing varan bhaat as "simple and humble... soul satisfying food of Mumbai city".
