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Karnataka style bisi bele bath served in a rice bowl
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5 from 2 votes

Bisi Bele Bath Recipe (Instant Pot & Stove Top)

Bisi bele bath or bisi bele huli anna is a delicious & traditional Karnataka dish with rice and toor dal. Along with rice and lentils, few vegetables are used. The whole dish is spiced with a special spice powder called bisi bele bath masala. Here I am sharing the recipe of both the rice dish and spice blend. It is one of the most popular traditional recipes for vegetarians. This is a special dish loved by most of the south Indians. The recipe I am sharing here is a very flavorful one popular in wedding feasts. Vegan and gluten free!
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time45 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, Karnataka
Keyword: bisi bele bath
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Harini

Ingredients

Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup carrot cubed
  • 1/2 cup potato cubed
  • 12 beans chopped
  • 4 baby corn chopped
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • 1/4 cup capsicum chopped
  • 1/2 cup pearl onions peeled, whole

Other Ingredients for bisi bele bath

  • 3/4 cup rice
  • 1/2 cup toor dal
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 12 curry leaves
  • 4 tablespoons bisi bele bath powder
  • 1/4 cup thick tamarind extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon jaggery
  • salt to taste

For tempering

  • 4 dried red chilies
  • 15 curry leaves
  • 15 cashews
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions

Preparation

  • Pick 3/4 cup rice and 1/2 cup toor dal in a bowl.
    raw rice and split pigeon peas in a bowl
  • Rinse few times and set aside.
    rinsed rice and toor dal
  • Rinse, peel if needed and chop the vegetables.
    chopped mixed vegetables
  • Soak small lemon sized tamarind in 1/2 cup of water (warm) for 15 minutes.
    tamarind soaked in warm water
  • Extract thick pulp and discard any seeds and pith.
    thick tamarind extract

Making bisi bele bath

  • Place the steel insert inside the instant pot and switch it on. Press saute mode. Once it displays hot add 2 tablespoons oil. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, few curry leaves and 1/2 cup peeled pearl onions. Saute for a minute.
    sauteing onions for bisibelebath
  • Add the vegetables and saute in high for 2-3 minutes.
    cooking vegetables
  • Add 3-4 tablespoons of bisi bele bath masala powder. You can also add a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix well and saute.
    bisi bele bath powder added to sautéed vegetables.
  • Add the prepared tamarind extract and mix.
    tamarind extract added to vegetables for making bisi bele bath recipe
  • Now add the rinsed rice and dal. Mix well.
    rice and dal added to vegetables
  • Pour 3.5 cups of water, salt to taste and 1/2 teaspoon grated jaggery or a small piece of jaggery.
    water, salt and jaggery added
  • Close the instant pot, cancel saute mode and press pressure cook or rice button. Set timer for 20 minutes with pressure valve in seal position. Once done, let pressure settle down for 6-8 minutes. Open the IP and mix gently.
    preparing bisi bele bath

Preparing tempering for bisi bele bath

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil or ghee in a small pan. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 12 curry leaves,3-4 dried red chilies and 15 cashews. Fry for a minute
    frying curry leaves, red chilies and cashews for bisi bele bath
  • Add the tempering to cooked hot lentil rice. Mix well.
    tempering added to bisi bele bath
  • Serve bisi bele bath immediately piping hot.
    piping hot bisi bela bath

Nutrition

Serving: 3servings | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4525IU | Vitamin C: 211mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 2mg