Bisi Bele Bath is a flavor and nutrition-filled recipe from Karnataka in Southern India. Cooked with lentils, rice, vegetables, and aromatic spices, this authentic one-pot meal is hearty and comforting.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: bisisbelebath, instant pot bisi bele bath
Soak tamarind in ⅓ cup warm water for 15 minutes. Run through a sieve, and keep the liquid aside.
Add rice and dal to a large bowl. Add water and wash multiple times until the water runs clear. Set aside.
Make Bisi bele bath powder or use 2 tablespoon of store-bought powder
Start the Instant Pot in sauté mode, and let it heat.
Add the bisi bele bath powder ingredients in the order listed. Dry roast for a minute until you get the roasted aroma.
Then add the dried coconut and
stir. Roast for 30 seconds and press cancel.
Transfer to a blender. Let the roasted ingredients cool, then grind to a fine powder. Set aside.
Making the Rice
Press Saute mode on Instant Pot, and let it heat. Add ghee, then add mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, asafetida, cashews & let them splutter.
Take out half of the tempering, and save for later.
Add onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft.
Add all the vegetables, then add bisi bele bath powder, salt. Mix well.
Add the washed toor dal and rice. Then add water, jaggery and give a stir. Close the lid with vent in sealing position.
Set the pot to pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid.
Add the tamarind water and mix well. Saute for couple of minutes. If needed, adjust consistency by adding hot water.
Bisi Bele Bath is ready. Garnish with the reserved tempering and enjoy.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:
Follow the same steps as above, but presure cook for 3 to 4 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.
Video
Notes
Bisi Bele Bath Masala: You can make the masala as suggested in the recipe, or use storebought MTR bisi bele bath masala or sambar masala. Adjust the quantity to your spice preference. If you are making homemade masala, you can also prepare that a day or two ahead. Vegetables: You can use vegetables of your choice such as drumstick, eggplant (brinjal), sweet potato, pearl onions, pumpkin and squash.Too thick: If after cooking, the rice gets too thick, you can adjust consistency by adding hot water and heating for 1-2 minutes. Storing: You can store bisibele bath. However it will soak all the liquid and clump together. To reheat, add hot water and heat the leftovers to get the desired consistency.Quinoa: If you like, you can make bisi bele bath with quinoa too. The same pressure cooking time will work well. Tamarind: If you don't have tamarind, replace with lemon juice.