Karnataka Special Bisi Bele Bath: A Lentil Rice Speciality

By Niveditha Kalyanaraman

September 12th, 2023

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The word bisi bēle bhāt literally means hot lentil rice mixture in the Kannada language. It is one of the most common rice-based lunch box recipes prepared in almost every household in South India. Generally, it is either prepared for breakfast or lunch. It is served with a choice of vegetable raita. Here's the recipe for Bisi Bele Bath.

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Ingredients

FOR PRESSURE COOKING: ½ cup toor dal, soaked 20 minutes ½ cup rice ¼ tsp turmeric 1 tsp oil 3 cups water

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Ingredients

FOR BISI BELE BATH: 2 tbsp oil 2 tbsp ghee 1 tsp mustard 2 dried red chilli Pinch hing 2 tbsp peanuts Few curry leaves ½ onion, cubed 1 carrot, chopped 1 potato, cubed

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Ingredients

2 tbsp peas 5 beans, chopped ½ tomato, chopped ½ tsp turmeric ½ cup tamarind extract 3 tbsp bisi bele bath masala 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp salt 5 cup water

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Ingredients

FOR TEMPERING 2 tsp ghee 2 tbsp cashew

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Step 1

Firstly, in a pressure cooker take toor dal, rice, turmeric and oil. Add 3 cups of water and pressure cook for 5 whistles. Keep aside.

Step 2

In a large kadai, heat oil, ghee and splutter mustard, dried red chilli, pinch hing, peanuts and few curry leaves. Add onion, carrot, potato, peas, beans, tomato, ½ tsp turmeric and ½ tsp salt. Saute for 2 minutes, or until the vegetables soften slightly.

Step 3

Add ½ cup tamarind extract and boil well. Add 3 tbsp bisi bele bath masala, chilli powder and salt. Saute until the spices are well cooked. Add cooked rice-dal, salt, 2 cups water and mix well adjusting the consistency. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the flavours are absorbed well.

Step 4

Now pour the fried cashew and mix well. Enjoy Bisi Bele Bath recipe with boondi and raita.