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Bisi Bele Bath A Karnataka dish that is a spicy, tangy stew made with rice, lentils, and vegetables, often served with ghee and papad

Bisi Bele Bath is a traditional dish from Karnataka, India. It is a spicy and tangy rice-based dish cooked with lentils, vegetables, and a special spice mix called Bisi Bele Bath powder. The dish is hearty, flavorful, and a complete meal in itself. It combines the richness of lentils and rice with the freshness of vegetables and the warmth of spices. Bisi Bele Bath is often served hot, garnished with ghee (clarified butter), fresh coriander, and sometimes accompanied by papad or raita.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice
  • ½ cup toor dal (pigeon pea lentils)
  • 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
  • 1 small carrot, diced
  • 1 small potato, diced
  • ½ cup green beans, chopped
  • ½ cup green peas
  • 2 tablespoons Bisi Bele Bath powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 2 tablespoons ghee (or oil)
  • 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Rice and Lentils:

    • Rinse the rice and toor dal separately. Cook the rice with 2 cups of water in a rice cooker or on the stovetop until soft. Cook the toor dal in 1.5 cups of water until tender and mushy. Set both aside.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables:

    • In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the diced carrot, potato, green beans, and green peas. Cook until the vegetables are tender, then drain and set aside.
  3. Make the Tamarind Water:

    • Soak the tamarind pulp in ½ cup of warm water for 10 minutes. Squeeze and extract the tamarind juice, then discard the pulp.
  4. Combine the Ingredients:

    • In the same pot used for cooking vegetables, heat ghee over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Add asafoetida and curry leaves, and sauté for a few seconds.
    • Add the cooked vegetables, tamarind juice, and Bisi Bele Bath powder. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Add the cooked toor dal and rice, along with 1 to 1.5 cups of water to achieve the desired consistency. Stir everything together and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Finish and Serve:

    • Season with salt to taste, and add roasted peanuts if using. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx. 300g):

  • Calories: ~350 kcal
  • Proteins: ~9g
  • Carbs: ~60g
  • Fiber: ~7g

Nutritional Summary: Bisi Bele Bath is a nutritious and filling dish that provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber. The combination of rice, lentils, and vegetables offers a good amount of essential nutrients, while the spices add depth and warmth to the flavor. The dish is relatively low in fat but can be adjusted with the addition of ghee or oil as desired