Bisi Bele Bath Recipe - A Spicy Mixed Vegetable Sambar Rice

Step 1: To begin the preparation of Bisi Bele Bath, first make the spice powder

Step 2: To make the spice powder, heat a small pan on medium heat; add in the chana dal, urad dal

Step 3: Stir continuously until they lightly brown and you get a roasted aroma

Step 4: Once the lentils are roasted, we will add in the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, dry red chillies, fenugreek seeds and the coriander seeds

Step 5: Turn the heat to low and roast well until the chillies begin to brown and you get a roasted aroma from the spices

Step 6: Next will add in the poppy seeds and coconut

Step 7: Continue to roast along with other ingredients for about a 30 to 40 seconds until the coconut loses its moisture

Step 8: Once it is roasted we will add in the turmeric powder and the asafoetida powder

Step 9: Stir until it combines well into the other ingredients

Step 10: Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely

Step 11: Once cooled add the ingredients to a spice blender and make a fine powder of the mixture

Step 12: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and keep aside

Step 13: Next thing to do, is to make the spicy vegetable tamarind sambar

Step 14: For this, in a large pressure cooker, we will add the tamarind water, jaggery, the drumsticks, pearl onions, beans, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, salt and finally the bisi bele bhaat spice powder

Step 15: Stir all the ingredients well

Step 16: Cover the pressure cooker, place the weight and allow the vegetables to cook until you hear at least 2 whistles and turn off the heat

Step 17: Since the vegetables cook very quickly, we will release the pressure by running cold water over the pressure cooker

Step 18: This process helps to bring the pressure down immediately

Step 19: Open the pressure cooker and smell the aroma from the vegetable curry

Step 20: You can transfer this to another bowl to reuse the pressure cooker for the next process

Step 21: But since I have another pressure cooker, I will leave it aside as it is

Step 22: Now lets get the main ingredients to make the Bisi Bele Bath and learn how to bring them all togetherTo the pressure cooked at in the washed rice, the washed lentils, the turmeric powder, salt and 5 cups of water

Step 23: Cover the cooker and place the weight on the pressure cooker

Step 24: Turn the heat to high and allow the rice to cook until you hear two whistles

Step 25: After you hear the whistles, turn the heat to low and simmer for five minutes

Step 26: After 5 minutes have passed, turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally

Step 27: Rice cooks in this resting period, hence wait for the pressure to release completely

Step 28: While we are waiting for the pressure to release, Lets proceed to make the seasoning

Step 29: For seasoning the Bisi Bele Bath, heat a small pan on medium heat

Step 30: Add in a tablespoon of ghee and allow it to melt

Step 31: Add in the mustard seeds, the cumin seeds

Step 32: Allow it to crackle

Step 33: Then add in the red chilli, curry leaves and roast them until the red chillies are browned lightly

Step 34: Stir to roast the ingredients well

Step 35: Once roasted keep this aside

Step 36: Now we will get back to the rice and dal pressure cooker

Step 37: Once the pressure is released , open the pressure cooker

Step 38: Add in the spicy vegetable tamarind curry

Step 39: Stir all the ingredients together until well combined and the mixture looks like a mish mash

Step 40: At this stage add in the prepared seasoning and two more tablespoons of ghee

Step 41: Once again give the mixture a good stir

Step 42: Transfer the Bisi Bele Bath to a serving bowl

Step 43: Sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves and the fried boondi on top

Step 44: Serve this delicious Bisi Bele Bath dish from southern india along with a tomato onion raita for lunch or dinner

Step 45: With just a little preparation you sure can get satisfied tummies