Bisi Bele bath

 Bisi bele bath also known as bisi huli anna is one of the traditional karnataka recipes which is often prepared in kannada speaking homes. The authentic recipe is a no onion and a no garlic recipe. There are many modern versions of bisi bele bath but I'm sharing the recipe which I got from my ex-colleague from Bangalore. 

Prep time : 20 Mins

Cook Time : 30 Mins

Serves : 6

Ingredients 

For Bisi bele bath Powder

Cumin seeds 1 Teaspoon

Fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon

Cloves 2

Black peppercorns 5

Chana dal  1 Teaspoon

Marathi Moggu 1 small

Poppy seeds 1 Teaspoon

Coriander seeds 1 1/2 Tablespoon

Cinnamon 1 inch

Kashmiri red chilly 5 

Spicy red chilly 5

Coconut 1/4 cup

For bisi bele bath 

Rice 1 cup

Toor Dal 1/2 cup

Tamarind 1 small lemon sized

Jaggery 1 Teaspoon (optional)

Ghee 1 Teaspoon

Turmeric powder 1/4 Teaspoon

Peanuts 2 Tablespoon

Salt to taste

Vegetables

Carrots 1/2 cup

Green peas 1/4 cup

French Beans 10

Drumsticks 2

Yellow Pumpkin 1/2 cup

White pumpkin 1/2 cup

Tomato 1

Tempering 

Ghee 1 teaspoon

Curry leaves 1 sprig

Cashew nuts 10

Asafoetida or hing a pinch

Mustard seeds 1 Teaspoon

Red chilly 2

Method

Cook dal and rice separately till soft and keep it aside. Soak tamarind in half a cup of boiled water. Squeeze it and filter it to a bowl.

To prepare the bisi bele bath powder, heat a pan and dry roast all the ingredients  except the coconut on a low flame till they turn golden brown and aromatic. Now, dry roast the coconut till they re golden brown in color. Let it cool and powder them or you can add little water and grind it to a fine paste. Keep it aside.

Heat ghee in a pan, when hot add the diced vegetables and sauté them for a minute or two. Add turmeric powder, salt, Peanuts and the tamarind extract. Allow it to boil for few minutes. If you are adding the bisi bele bath powder, you should add it now . Add the jaggery, some water if required cover and let the vegetables cook till they are soft but still crunchy. 

Now add the mashed dal and rice and give it a good mix. I normally grind the bisi bele bath powder with little water to form a paste. If using the paste add it to the pan at this point and mix well. Let the whole thing come to a boil on a medium flame. It will take around 4 to 6 minutes. Check the seasoning and cook them till the rice reaches a desired consistency. Bisi bele bath usually thickens upon cooling so remove it a bit early.

For the tempering, heat ghee in a small pan, add mustard seeds and when they begin to crackle add cashew nuts, red chilly and curry leaves. Pour the seasoning over the rice and top with a generous amount of ghee before serving. 

Serve it hot with chips or papad and a raita.