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Bisi Bele Bath

Serves 4
60 mins
350 Kcal
The Bisi Bele Bath recipe is a delightful blend of rice, lentils, and vegetables cooked together with aromatic spices for a wholesome meal. The bisi bele bath recipe is characterised by the unique spice blending made with a special bisi bele bath powder consisting of roasted lentils, dried red chillies, and spices that give it aromatic flavour-the spices in this dish make it so rich and different in its taste. The dish usually uses several seasonal vegetables like carrots, peas, and green beans; thus, it provides a bright colour and appearance. Traditionally, it's hot, accompanied by a drizzle of ghee (clarified butter), the crunch of papad, or fried plantains- enhancing the flavours. For Bisi Bele Bath, fun during festivals or family get-togethers generally captures all kinds of emotions of warmth and togetherness. For a comforting and flavourful meal, try this Bisi Bele Bath recipe that combines rice, lentils, and a blend of spices with mixed vegetables. Bisi Bele Bath is a highly healthy dish with lentil proteins mixed in to complement the carbohydrates in the form of rice. Its wholesome ingredients and comfort food make it popular among many; evidence of Karnataka's rich food heritage is found in every bite. Not to be missed at any table welcoming South Indian flavour is the taste when served at a busy eaterie or lovingly made at home with Bisi Bele Bath.

Ingredients required for Bisi Bele Bath

  1. 200 gms rice
  2. Arhar dal
  3. 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  4. Mixed vegetables
  5. 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
  6. 1 tsp mustard seeds
  7. 2 tbsp ghee
  8. 1/2 cup grated coconut
  9. 4-5 dry red chilli
  10. 1 tsp turmeric powder
  11. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  12. 1 tsp coriander seeds
  13. Curry leaves
  14. 2 tbsp chana dal
  15. Hing
  16. Cooking oil
  17. 1 tbsp urad dal
  18. Salt

Cooking steps for Bisi Bele Bath

  1. 1
    Add 200 gms of rice and 100 gms of toor dal into it.
  2. 2
    Rinse them together in a colander under cold running water to clear away excess starches and impurities for cleaner grains.
  3. 3
    Continue rinsing till the water runs clear.
  4. 4
    Soak them together in just about enough water for around 30 minutes. This whole process is said to soften the grains, hence making cooking easy and proper.
  5. 5
    Grind the rice and dal. Strain all the water and water afterwards from the soaked rice and dal.
  6. 6
    Mix it in the pressure cooker with 1.5 litres of fresh water.
  7. 7
    Close the lid and start on a medium flame for 4-5 whistles; it gets cooked together, which ends in a creamy texture after the cooking; turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally. It will take a few minutes, leaving the rice and dal fluffy.
  8. 8
    For the vegetables, prepare them. Mix colourful vegetables, including carrots, beans, peas, and potatoes. For this dish, try getting 2 cups of chopped vegetables. Ensure you cut them into similar sizes, thus evenly cooked. Place them aside once chopped.
  9. 9
    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables to the hot oil and saut for about 5-7 minutes until they are half-cooked but still crisp. This way, they flavour well and do not become soggy in the final dish.
  10. 10
    After saut ing, take the vegetables off the pan and put them aside for later use.
  11. 11
    Let roast for about 5 to 6 minutes, until the dals get golden brown and a fragrant spicy aroma. Let this cool down absolutely once it is roasted.
  12. 12
    While it cools down a little, transfer the roasted spice powder to a blender.
  13. 13
    Add 1/2 cup of grated coconut and a tiny quantity of water to blend easily. Grind this to a fine paste. This is what lends depth and complexity to the Bisi Bele Bath, really.
  14. 14
    Put the cooked rice and dal mixture into a large pot or pan. Then, gently fold the saut ed vegetables and ground spice paste. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of salt to taste.
  15. 15
    For that tangy flavour, add one tablespoon of tamarind paste. Mix well so that the spices and flavours are well-distributed.
  16. 16
    Pour it into low flame and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  17. 17
    It's a crucial step because, during this process, the flavours amalgamate to create that delicious dish coming toward the palate.
  18. 18
    Stir occasionally so the mixture doesn't stick; the ingredients will be cooked evenly. Add more water if you want it to change consistency.
  19. 19
    Heat 2 tablespoons ghee in a small pan over medium heat. When hot, add one teaspoon of mustard and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds. Let them splutter. Then, add a few curry leaves for an aromatic touch. That is the tempering which makes the flavour of the dish good in addition to enhancing the perfume of the dish.
  20. 20
    When the tempering has been prepared, pour it over the simmered recipe of Bisi Bele Bath. Stir very gently so that it mixes well into the dish and all the flavours mix well.

Shop Ingredients

Chana Dal (2 Tbsp)
85
1
72
1
42
1
155
1
141
1
86
1
90
1
81
1
75
1
70
1
Grated Coconut (1/2 cup)
50
1
Mustard Seeds (1 Tsp)
22
1
33
1
26
1
32
1
35
1
19
1
25
1
25
1
50
1
41
1
Curry Leaves
42
1
40
1
Dry Red Chilli (4-5)
42
1
56
1
56
1
107
1
62
1
131
1
193
1
121
1
81
1
101
1
Arhar Dal
273
1
144
1
113
1
209
1
235
1
112
1
182
1
433
1
230
1
199
1
Turmeric Powder (1 Tsp)
65
1
113
1
220
1
Cumin Seeds (1/2 Tsp)
60
1
241
1
105
1
150
1
90
1
175
1
84
1
226
1
100
1
140
1
Coriander Seeds (1 Tsp)
60
1
45
1
68
1
20
1
113
1
31
1
Cooking Oil
175
1
172
1
161
1
137
1
148
1
150
1
291
1
141
1
730
1
241
1
Tamarind Paste (1 Tbsp)
78
1
189
1
Salt
27
1
21
1
22
1
50
1
107
1
56
1
99
1
47
1
76
1
75
1
Rice (200 gms)
79
1
349
1
339
1
74
1
197
1
381
1
220
1
99
1
463
1
453
1
Ghee (2 Tbsp)
384
1
585
1
297
1
540
1
148
1
635
1
355
1
549
1
701
1
129
1
Mixed Vegetables
48
1
45
1
39
1
29
1
61
1
15
1
50
1
113
1
78
1
20
1
Fenugreek Seeds (1/2 Tsp)
37
1
27
1
19
1
37
1
36
1
53
1
82
1
21
1
50
1
Hing
57
1
96
1
182
1
92
1
118
1
71
1
91
1
110
1
126
1
55
1
Urad Dal (1 Tbsp)
159
1
98
1
110
1
230
1
149
1
88
1
114
1
177
1
107
1
86
1

FAQs

What is Bisi Bele Bath?

Bisi Bele Bath is a traditional food in Karnataka, India. It is a mixture of vegetables, rice, and toor dal cooked in a unique concoction of spices and tamarind. The word translates directly into "hot lentil rice," symbolising its comfort food status.

What are some essential ingredients used in making Bisi Bele Bath?

The primary ingredients are rice, toor dal, mixed vegetables such as carrots, peas, and green beans, a splash of tamarind paste for tanginess and a unique spice mix involving, at times, roasted chana dal, coriander seeds, and dried red chillies. In addition to these items, grated coconut is included in most versions for added flavour.

Can Bisi Bele Bath be prepped ahead and re-warmed?

It definitely can. Bisi Bele Bath can be prepped a day ahead and refrigerated for several days or frozen for more extended periods. It is a bit thicker upon refrigeration; you might need to add water upon warming it again.