Bisi Bele Bath

Bisi Bele Bath is a speciality of Karnataka. It is quite similar to our Sambar Sadham except for some changes in the masala! I so so love both the versions! Its such a breeze to make. U can have it with a simple papad as it is loaded with veggies and does not need any side dish as such. I prefer to make this on a weekend as we love to have it hot! And also the consistency is best when served hot & fresh.

Here is the video..

Now to the recipe..

[Preparation Time-20 mins : Cooking Time- 30 mins]

Bisi Bele Bath Ingredients:

• Rice – 1 cup
• Toor Dal – 1/2 cup
• Vegetables – 1 cup (I used carrot, potato, & beans)
• Shallots – 7 to 10
• Oil – 1.5 tbsp + 1 tbsp
• Mustard – 1 tsp
• Asafoetida – a generous pinch
• Turmeric powder – a pinch
• Tamarind paste – 1 tbsp
• Salt – as needed
• Curry leaves – 2 sprigs
• Ghee – 2 to 3 tbsp

To roast & grind:

• Oil – 1 tsp
• Dry Chillies – 4 nos
• Coriander seeds – 3 tbsp
• Chana Dal – 1 tbsp
• Urad Dal – 1 tbsp
• Cumin seeds/Jeera – 1 tsp
• Fenugreek – 1/2 tsp
• Khus Khus/Poppy seeds – 1 tbsp
• Cinnamon stick – a small piece
• Star anise – 1
• Cloves – 3
• Coconut – 1 tbsp (grated or dry)

Method:

• Wash & pressure cook rice & toor dal together with 4 & 1/2 cups of water. Once cooked mash it well. Meanwhile heat a pan and roast the ingredients mentioned under “to roast & grind” until golden brown.

• Finally add coconut and roast it too. Cool it down and grind it into a smooth paste along with little water. Heat a pan with oil and add shallots. Saute until translucent.

• Add the chopped vegetables, tamarind paste, salt, turmeric powder & water. Let the veggies cook for 5 mins or until soft. Add the masala paste & boil for a further 5 mins so that the raw smell goes off.

• Add this to the cooked & rice mixture. Mix well & add required salt and ghee. Mix well and finally temper with mustard, curry leaves, hing & cashewnuts. Mix well & serve hot!

Thats it!! Bisi Bele Bath is ready!

Serve hot with papad or chips.

Tips:

1. Adjust spice levels according to your taste buds. It tends to be little spicier because of the garam masala spices as well.
2. Make sure u add enough water while cooking rice & dal. The consistency of Bisi Bele Bath should be slightly runny. It will get thicker once it cools down.
3. U can add peanuts along with cashewnuts too.
4. U can add other veggies such as peas, capsicum..
5. I know khus khus/poppy seeds is banned in some places. U can skip it if not available.

– By Sundari Nathan