bisi bele bath

Here's a basic recipe for making Bisi Bele Bath:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup rice

- 1/2 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)

- 2-3 cups mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, beans, potatoes)

- 1 small lemon-sized ball of tamarind, soaked in water

- 2 tablespoons Bisi Bele Bath masala (store-bought or homemade)

- Salt to taste

- Water as needed

- Chopped coriander leaves for garnish

- Ghee (clarified butter) for flavor (optional)

For the Bisi Bele Bath Masala:

- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds

- 1 tablespoon chana dal (split chickpeas)

- 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)

- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

- 4-5 dry red chilies (adjust according to spice preference)

- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns

- 1-inch cinnamon stick

- 2-3 cloves

- 2-3 cardamom pods

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice and toor dal separately, and soak them in water for about 30 minutes.

2. In the meantime, prepare the Bisi Bele Bath masala by dry roasting all the masala ingredients until fragrant. Then, grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

3. Cook the soaked rice and dal together in a pressure cooker or pot until soft and mushy. Mash them slightly once cooked.

4. While the rice and dal are cooking, chop the mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces and cook them separately until they're tender.

5. Extract the tamarind juice by squeezing the soaked tamarind in water. Discard the pulp and seeds.

6. In a large pan or kadai, heat some ghee or oil. Add the cooked vegetables, tamarind juice, salt, and the prepared Bisi Bele Bath masala. Mix well.

7. Add the cooked rice and dal mixture to the pan and mix everything together. Adjust the consistency by adding water as needed.

8. Let the Bisi Bele Bath simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

9. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and a drizzle of ghee if desired.

10. Serve hot with a side of papad or raita.

Enjoy your homemade Bisi Bele Bath!