In Kannada, Bisi refers to hot, Bele means lentils and Bath refers to rice. So, Bisi Bele Bath translates to hot lentil rice. It’s a delicious one pot meal that you would find in every Kannadiga’s kitchen.
This dish that combines lentils, rice and vegetables with the sourness of tamarind must be served piping hot. The other important ingredient required in this recipe is a spice blend which is also known as ‘Bisi Bele Masala Powder’. This masala powder is easily available in stores of Karnataka but not too easy to procure in other parts of country. While we were in Bangalore we had bought couple of packs of MTR Bisi Bele Bath powder, but quite soon when this supply of masala was exhausted we realized that we had to start making this spice blend at home.
This is a flavorful spice blend that is made by roasting several aromatic Indian spices and grinding them into a fine powder. Bisi Bele Bath masala can be stored in an air tight container in a refrigerator for couple of weeks before it loses its freshness and aroma.
Let’s make this magical spice blend.
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Serves: 90 grams
- 5 Byadagi Red Chilies (less spicy chilies)
- 3 Guntur Red Chilies (spicy chilies)
- ¼th cup grated Dry Coconut
- 1 tbsp. Chana Dal (Bengal Gram)
- 1 tbsp. Urad Dal (Split Black Gram)
- 2 tbsp. whole Dry Coriander Seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Black Peppercorns
- 7-8 cloves
- ½ tsp Fenugreek Seeds
- ¼th tsp Asafoetida Powder
- 1 inch Cinnamon stick
- ½ tsp Poppy Seeds
- Coconut Oil/any other Cooking Oil (for roasting)
- Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan. We will roast all the ingredients
- Fry Chana Dal and Urad Dal until it turns brown. Fry all the spices one by one until it releases aroma (Peppercorns, Cloves, Cumin Seeds, Cinnamon Sticks, Fenugreek Seeds, Asafoetida Powder, Poppy Seeds)
- Roast dry coconut until it turns brown. Roast Chilies
- Allow the roasted spices to cool down before grinding. Grind into fine powder (do not use water).
- We have made approx. 90 grams of Bisi Bele Bath Masala Powder. It can be stored in an air tight container.
Click here to watch recipe video
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