Patti’s Bisi Bele Bath

Bisi bele bath is a popular dish in the region of Karnataka. This translates to “hot lentil rice dish” in Kannada. This is a flavorful, rich meal with a ton of protein. A perfect meal that is filled with lentils, vegetables, and rice. I love to enjoy a steaming hot bowl of this with a dollop of ghee and a side of refreshing raita (yogurt). Every family has a different twist to this dish and I can’t wait for you to try my Patti’s recipe.

Serving Size: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of basmati rice

• 1 cup of tuvar dal (pigeon pea)

• 2 cups of carrots

• 2 cups of green beans

• 2 cups of tendli (ivy gourd)

• 2 tbsp. of tamarind

• 1 cup of onions

• 3 tomatoes

• 7-8 tbsp. of bisi bele bath powder

• 1/2 cup of peanuts

• ~ 2 1/2 tbsp. of salt

• 1 tbsp. of turmeric powder

• 1/4 tbsp. of hing (asafetida)

• 10-12 curry leaves

• 4-5 dried red chilis

• 1/2 tbsp. of black mustard seeds

• 1/2 cup of oil

• ~15 cups of water

• ~ 5 tbsp. ghee

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Steps:

Preparation:

1. Soak 2 cups of basmati rice and 1 cup of tuvar dal (pigeon pea) in water separately for ~ 2 hours.

2. Soak 2 tbsp. of tamarind in 1 1/2 cup of water for ~30 mins.

Lentils:

1. In a pressure cooker, add the 1 cup of tuvar dal, 3 whole tomatoes, 1 tbsp. of salt, 1/2 tbsp. of turmeric powder, 5 1/2 cups of water. Cook on medium-high heat for 3-4 whistles.

Rice:

1. Cook the 2 cups of basmati rice with 4 cups of rice in a rice cooker.

Vegetables:

1. Chop up 2 cups each of carrots, tendli (ivy gourd), and green beans.

2. Using a large pot, add 1/2 cup of oil over medium heat. Then add 1 cup of diced onion and saute for 3-5mins.

3. Add all the chopped vegetables and 1/2 tbsp. of salt, 1/2 tbsp. of turmeric powder, and saute for 10 mins

4. Add in the tamarind water and 7-8 tbsp. of bisi bele bath powder and boil for 5 minutes.

5. Remove the whole tomatoes from the pressure cooker. Peel, mash, and add to the large pot. Add in all the remains of the lentil mixture from the pressure cooker.

6. Add 3 cups of water and 1 tbsp. of salt and allow it to boil for 10 mins with a lid. (salt to taste)

7. Add the cooked basmati rice and 2 cups of water. (make sure to constantly stir removing any clumps of rice)

Tadka:

1. Using a small pot, add 5 tbsp. of ghee, 1/2 cup of peanuts, 1/4 tbsp. of hing (asafetida), 1/2 tbsp. of black mustard seeds, 10-12 curry leaves chopped, and 4-5 dried red chili.

2. Add to the large pot of bisi bele bath, turn off the heat, and add a lid.

3. Garnish with a dollop of ghee and it’s ready to eat!