Bisi Bele Bath is a traditional dish from Karnataka. The name “Bisi Bele Bath” translates to “hot lentil rice” which perfectly describes this comforting one-pot meal.
One of the most popular rice dishes from Karnataka is the ever classic Bisi Bele Bath. Bisi means hot, bele means dal which translates into hot lentil rice. Like obbatu (bobbatlu/puran poli) bisibele bath takes a special place during festivals and weddings. Cucumber raita on the side is a nice compliment to this classic dish of Karnataka.
Freshly ground spices sure taste great. But I just use the powder my co-sister gives me. I generally freeze it and just take little bit at a time. Freezer is absolutely a wonderful way of storing the spice powders. Freezing not only keeps them fresh, they also stay longer. I directly cooked the Bisi bele bath in a deep pot. You can do so in pressure cooker as well.
More Recipes from Karnataka –
Instant Pot Veg Pulao (karnataka style)
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Bisi Bele Bath
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice ( sona masoori or basmati will work)
- ¾ cup toor dal
- 30 green beans, cut to half inch
- ½ cup green peas
- 1 small potato
- 3 medium tomato
- 3 teaspoon bisi bele bath powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp or as needed
- salt to taste
- 2 teaspoons oil
Tempering
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon chana dal
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 small onion, sliced
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida
Instructions
- If time permits, soak toor dal for few minutes. Then take a deep pot, add seven cups of water and toor dal, In medium to high heat cook till the dal is half way done. This takes about ten minutes.
- Mean while prep all the veggies. Now add the beans and tomato and cook for five to seven minutes. Then add the rest of the veggies like carrot, potato and peas.
- Add the washed rice, oil and mix and cook till the rice is almost done. Mix it often to avoid burnt bottom. You may have to add more water as needed. Add Salt.
- Do the tempering by heating oil and mustard seeds. Once the mustard seeds starts popping, add the chana dal, curry leaves and onion. Cook till onion becomes soft, then add the hing and turn the stove off.
- In a small cup, take the bisi bele bath powder and salt. Mix with few tsps of water, stir and mix this powder and the tamarind pulp in the cooked rice mixture. This way of adding the bisi bele bath powder helps from not forming any lumps. Stir the whole mixture gently and cook till the rice is completely done. If you feel you need more water, add it now. Then at the end add the tempering and turn the heat off.
- Let stand for few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy this ever classic Bisi bele bath with a dollop of ghee, cucumber raita and chips.
Umashankari Venkataraman
You forgot to add tamarind. When do you add this?
Madhavi K
Sorry updated the recipe! We add the tamarind when we add the bisibele bath powder!
Saranya Balaji
Simple and delicious one pot meal…
Divya Shivaraman
this is one yummy food…we make it a bit more thick madhu
Priya Suresh
Comforting food,i can survive for many days with it.
Swasthi Blank
delicious one pot meal
Chitz
Yummy.. I love it with pappads 🙂
Sapana Behl
Looks yummy!
Sona S
looks delicious..