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Bisi Bele Bath

Kannada · Main

A comforting, spicy, and tangy one-pot meal from Karnataka made with rice, lentils, and mixed vegetables, flavored with a unique homemade spice blend and ghee.

IntermediateVegetarianHigh protein
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Bisi Bele Bath — recipe cover
45 minA little patience, a lot of flavor
Prep time15 min
Cook time30 min
Servings4 people
DifficultyIntermediate
Let's make something good

How to make it

6 steps. Take it one step at a time.

  1. Wash the rice and toor dal together

    Wash the rice and toor dal together and add them to a pressure cooker along with the mixed vegetables, a pinch of salt, and 4 cups of water.

    15 min
  2. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles

    Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles until both rice and dal are very soft and slightly mushy. Once the pressure releases, mash them slightly with a ladle.

  3. Add the tamarind extract, Bisi Bele Bath powder, jaggery, and salt

    In a separate large pot, add the tamarind extract, Bisi Bele Bath powder, jaggery, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes until the raw smell of tamarind goes away.

    5 min
  4. Add the cooked rice, dal, and vegetable mixture

    Add the cooked rice, dal, and vegetable mixture to the tamarind base. Mix well, adding more hot water if needed to reach a thick, pourable consistency. Simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

    7 min
  5. For the tempering

    For the tempering: Heat ghee in a small pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add curry leaves and cashews (or peanuts). Fry until golden brown.

    3 min
  6. Pour the tempering

    Pour the tempering over the Bisi Bele Bath. Mix gently and serve hot with papad or potato chips.

A little kitchen wisdom

Always use a good quality Bisi Bele Bath powder for the authentic taste. Adding a small piece of jaggery balances the tanginess of the tamarind and the heat from the spices.

What you'll need

Pressure cookerLarge potSmall tempering panLadle
Keep the good going

For now. And for later.

Make it ahead

The rice and dal can be pressure cooked in advance. Reheat with water and add the spice base fresh.

Store & enjoy

Store in an airtight container. It will thicken significantly as it cools. Add a splash of hot water and a bit of ghee before reheating on the stove or microwave.

Allergens

Contains tree nuts, mustard.

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An AI-created recipe from the EZdish collection. Ingredient quantities and techniques have not been independently kitchen-tested. Published on this website . Updated . First published in the EZdish collection .

Bisi Bele Bath
Step 1 of 6

Wash the rice and toor dal together

Wash the rice and toor dal together and add them to a pressure cooker along with the mixed vegetables, a pinch of salt, and 4 cups of water.

15 min