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Bisi Bele Bath by DK on Nov 25, 2008

Bisi Bele Bath/Bisi Bele Huliyanna means Hot Lentil Rice in Kannada (Karnataka Cuisine) and it has been adopted by almost all the South Indian States. I also know of many North Indian friends who request me for this dish along with Idli's and dosas's. It has a warm appeal among so many people and no wonder its being made with umptieth versions. I follow my mom's version and it is as simple as it can get.
  • Cook time:
  • Prep time:
  • Serves: 2 people
Ingredients
  • For Bisi Bela Huliyanna Powder
  • 1 tbsp Toor Dal (pigeon peas)
  • 1 tbsp channa dal (Bengal Gram dal)
  • 1/4 tbsp Fenugreek seeds
  • 1 tbsp Daniya (Coriander Seeds)
  • 2-3 cloves
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 5-6 dried red chillies ( or as per taste)
  • 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
  • 1-2 tbsp fresh grated coconut (you can also use dried)
  • Other Ingredients
  • Approx 2 cups of mixed boiled vegetables (peas,carrots,potatoes,beans,cauliflower)
  • 1 small red onion, chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1/2 cup cooked Pigeon peas(toor dal)
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • salt to taste and few sprigs of cilantro and curry leaves to garnish
Method
1. Dry roast the ingredients (except the coconut) for the powder until aromatic and golden reddish yellow.
2. Grind these into a powder along with coconut and set aside.
3. In a pan, in a tsp of oil, add the mustard seeds and when they start popping, add the onions till soft.
4. Mix the tamarind paste in 2 cups of water and then add this to the onions. Cook until the raw smell of tamarind leaves. Then add the boiled vegetables, turmeric, salt along with the cooked pigeon peas and mix well. Once they start boiling, sprinkle the prepared powder and mix lightly.
5. Now add the rice, garnish with the herbs and serve with few tsp of ghee on top. Make sure to serve warm, since the dish tends to thicken up fast. In case that happens, add a little warm water to loosen it up. Goes well with Papads, chips etc.

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2 Member Reviews

By Aishwarya on Dec 27, 2011

This  turned out to be yummier than I thought. Though I did not cook the sambhar seperately.  I ground the spice and coconut as you had mentioned. I sauteed onions, carrots, beans, peas, red turnip, broccoli, potatoes and capsicum with a pinch of salt. I added the vegetables in the rice cooker, along with rice, water, the spice powder and tamarind paste. I also dropped a pinch of turmeric powder and jaggery and a tbsp of salt. It turned out to be the yummiest bisibele bath I've ever tasted. I fried pappadams for accompaniment. Thanks Chef!

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By Radhika on Aug 30, 2010

Though I am from karnataka, had not tried this recipe till recently. Made this a few times now. With a few variation to the recipe given here, my bisibele bath came out very good. I usually don't make the powder, but, make a paste of all the masala & coconut together & mix it to the cooked vegetables, dal & rice. Also added a seasoning at the end with a few mustard seeds & curry leaves. Yummm....

14 Comments

By Christy on Nov 3, 2014

You are the bestestest along with a lot other superlatives that can go with a person who is a gifted cook, a lover of great food and good living!! I would have never had the courage to work up to cooking great meals that include the likes of Bisi bela bath, without these simple recipes from you!! You made a difference in the way I looked at cooking and serving!! You are a star indeed!

By Bisi Bela Bath | Culinary Pins on Jan 1, 2014

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By Vidhya on Feb 27, 2013

Love this! i use 2 tomatoes and add very little tamarind. I also prefer making the powder when am cooking.

By Sandhya on Oct 24, 2012

Sometimes if I am in a hurry and don't have time to make the spice powder, I use normal sambar powder but add just a pinch of (store bought) cinnamon powder to get the traditional flavor.

By Gayatri on Aug 24, 2010

Hi..was looking for such a simpler version of this recipe from so long..Thanks for posting.. It's my hubby's one of fav rice dishes.. just wanted to know whether I can use 'Sambhar Masala' insted of grinding the masala you've mentioned above !! Thanks.. G

Oh you sure can - but then technically adding the sambar powder will make what we call as Kadambam rice (http://chefinyou.com/2009/01/kadambam-rice-recipe/). Its this powder which gives that Bisi bela touch - hence for getting the Bisibela bath flavor try this spice powder:)

By veggie belly on Nov 26, 2008

youve posted a series of my favorite rice dishes! thankyou! thankyou! thankyou!

By Medhaa on Nov 26, 2008

this is like comfort food for me, looks delicious

By Srivalli on Nov 26, 2008

Perfect Dhivi..and I am very happy!..thank you dear!

By Ramya Vijaykumar on Nov 26, 2008

Infact your description and your bath both have made me warm and cozy... Lovely dish...

By Priya on Nov 26, 2008

BBB looks delicious, with lovely colour...

By Gita's Kitchen on Nov 25, 2008

They look so colorful and yummy :)

By Gita's Kitchen on Nov 25, 2008

They look so colorful and yummy :)

By srikars kitchen on Nov 25, 2008

looks perfect & delicious... Nice entry DK..

By Curry Leaf on Nov 25, 2008

Lovely though I am not that big fan of this.never tried it a home as I did not like some restaurant versions.I prefer only Bangalore MTR bisibelebath.This looks as good and would love to try this.