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Home » Rice & Bread » Bisi Bele Bath

Bisi Bele Bath

Published: Jan 12, 2017 · by Shilpa ·

Jump to Recipe
Bisi bele bath – probably the first dish that comes to anyone’s mind when they think of food from Karnataka. Bisi bele bath means ‘hot lentil rice’ in Kannada. 
bisi bele bath

Bisi bele bath step-by-step recipe with photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • Masala powder
  • Step by step instructions
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Bisi bele bath – probably the first dish that comes to anyone’s mind when they think of food from Karnataka. Bisi bele bath means ‘hot lentil rice’ in Kannada, popularly known as BBB or bisi bele hulianna. Rice, pigeon pea lentil, vegetables cooked with freshly ground spices and finished with a generous helping of ghee or clarified butter – this dish ticks all the boxes. Tasty, healthy, nutritious, and extremely flavourful, this is a wholesome dish. This dish tastes best when made with ghee. But if you want to make a vegan version, skip the ghee and use oil instead.

I make this dish with homemade bisi bele bath masala powder. I then cook rice and vegetables together and add boiled pigeon pea lentil along with fresh masala powder. I then slow cook everything together and finish off with a simple tempering made with ghee.

Masala powder

I have shared the detailed recipe for making the bisi bele masala powder. I usually make a small amount of spice powder and use it up. However, you can double/triple the quantity and make a large batch of the spice mix. Store it in the refrigerator and use it as and when needed.

This masala powder is readily available in the market but making it at home makes the dish absolutely aromatic, flavourful, and delicious. It is really simple to make it too. Do give it a try and let me know how you like it.

Step by step instructions

1. Freshly made masala powder. The recipe for bisi bele bath masala powder is here.

bisi bele bath masala powder

2. Heat ghee and prepare the tempering (seasoning) with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, ginger paste, and hing.

3. Add carrots and potatoes.

4. Add the soaked rice. Add salt and water, and let it cook.

5. Add remaining vegetables, cooked dal, tamarind pulp, jaggery, and masala powder. (You can pressure cook the dal beforehand).

bisi bele bath steps.

6. Let it simmer until it all comes together and the vegetables are cooked.

bisi bele bath

bisi bele bath

Recipe card

Bisi bele bath

Shilpa
Bisi bele bath – probably the first dish that comes to anyone’s mind when they think of food from Karnataka. Bisi bele bath means ‘hot lentil rice’ in Kannada. 
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian, Karnataka
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 tablespoon bisi bele bath masala powder see notes
  • 2 cups rice
  • 1.5 cups pigeon pea (toor dal)
  • 1 medium potato cut into small cubes
  • 2 medium carrots cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup beans cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 small capsicum cut into small pieces
  • ½ cup cauliflower
  • ¼ cup peas
  • ¼ cup hyacinth bean (avarekalu)
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
  • A small piece jaggery
  • Salt to taste

For tempering (seasoning)

  • 4-5 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • A small pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • 4-5 curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 4-5 cashew

Instructions
 

  • Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it for 30 minutes
  • Boil the toor dal in a pressure cooker and set aside
  • Heat a large frying pan or kadhai and add 4 tablespoon ghee. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter
  • Add cumin seeds, hing, curry leaves, and ginger paste
  • Add carrot and pototes and mix well
  • Drain all the water from the rice and add it to the pan
  • Add salt and water, and bring it to boil. Cover and simmer until the rice is almost cooked
  • Now add boiled dal, rest of the vegetables, tamarind extract, and spice powder. Add some water to adjust the consistency. Bisi bele bath is slightly runny and thin so add water accordingly
  • Simmer for 20-25 minutes. Keep stirring every few minutes
  • In another small pan, heat 1 tablespoon ghee. Fry till the cashew is golden
  • Add the cashew along with the ghee over the bisi bele bath and mix well
  • Serve hot with papad and raita

Notes

You may choose to add as much or as little bisi bele bath masala powder as per your preference. Traditionally, this dish is made slightly spicy
Nutrition Facts
Bisi bele bath
Amount Per Serving
Calories 170 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 11mg0%
Potassium 214mg6%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 1542IU31%
Vitamin C 17mg21%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @spicytamarind or tag #spicytamarind!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Richard

    September 04, 2021 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Warren

    September 05, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    5 stars
    Nice recipe

  3. Glen

    September 05, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    5 stars
    Nice

  4. WayneMetle

    September 07, 2021 at 6:28 am

    5 stars
    nice recipe

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