Bisi Bele Bath

Bisi bele bath is one of the traditional Karnataka recipe that is almost prepared in any occasion. The authentic recipe doesn't contain any onion or garlic. Bisi meaning hot, bele meaning lentils and bath containing rice i.e dal and rice cooked together with tamarind and spice powders. As the name suggests it is served hot and tastes awesome when seasoned with ghee.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4th cup rice
• 1/2 cup toor dal
• 1 cup mixed dices vegetables (carrots, beans, potatoes, peas)
• 2 tbsp of fresh grated coconut
• 2 tbsp tamarind juice
• 11/2 tbsp jaggery
• 3 to 4 tbsp bisi bele bath powder (homemade or store bought)
• 2 to 3 tbsp ghee
• Few curry leaves
• 2 tbsp groundnuts
• Pinch of hing
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Salt to taste

METHOD:

1. Wash rice, mixed dices veggies and dal. Pressure cook them separately for 3 whistles.
2. Add bisi bele bath powder, grated coconut, tamarind juice and jaggery to a mixer and grind it to a smooth paste. Keep aside.
3. In a heavy bottomed pan mix the cooked rice and mashed dal together. Add around a cup of water. Add the ground paste and let it cook for about few minutes until the raw smell disappears.
4. Add the cooked veggies, salt and mix well. Adjust consistency by adding more water if necessary. Cook it for few minutes and switch off the flame.
5. Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a small pan. Add hing, mustard seeds, curry leaves, ground nuts and fry for a few minutes.
6. Pour the seasoning over the bisi bele bath.
7. Serve it hot with ghee and khara boondi or potato chips or a papad.