Bisi Bele Bath Recipe with Homemade Masala (2024)

Bisi Bele Bath Recipe | Bisibelabath Recipe | Bisibele Bhath or Bisibele Rice with detailed photo and video recipe. A bowl of traditional, flavourful rice and lentil-based dishes from Karnataka or Kannada cuisine. It is basically an extended version of the masala khichdi recipe with additional flavored spices and vegetables. It is often confused with another South Indian cuisine recipe i.e. sambar rice or sambar sadam but both are completely different recipes.
Bisi Bele Bath Recipe | Bisibelabath Recipe | Bisibele Bhath or Bisibele Rice with step-by-step photo and video recipe. The word bisi bēle bhāt literally means hot lentil rice mixture in the Kannada language. It is perhaps one of the most common rice-based lunch box recipes prepared in almost every household in South India. Generally, it is either prepared for breakfast or lunch or even a tiffin box, but it can also be prepared for dinner with a choice of vegetable raita.

Well, to be honest, I am a huge fan of this traditional rice recipe. basically, it is one of the frequent weekend breakfast recipes at my home. In fact, it is one of the popular dishes prepared and relished both in my family and my husband’s family. My mother-in-law in law prepares it in a unique way using a pressure cooker by mixing both rice and lentils in a single pot. But I have another way of preparing it. Basically, I prepare the spice powder or bisibelabath masala in advance and add it accordingly when I prepare the bisi bele bath recipe. Also, I cook the rice and lentil in a pressure cooker and then mix it with veggies and spice powder followed by simmering till it cooks perfectly. It may take a little longer time this way, but certainly gives you more control over the spice and salt.

Furthermore, some important variations, tips, and serving ideas for a perfect authentic bisi bele bath recipe. firstly, the choice of veggies is completely open-ended and can be varied with drumsticks, radish, peas, capsicum, gobi, broccoli, and even cucumber. having said that do not overdo it by adding more veggies and maintain the balance between rice and veggies. secondly, if you are in a hurry you can pressure cook the rice and toor dal, with vegetables in a single go instead of cooking them separately. however, I would recommend following the stovetop method and falling back to the pressure cooker method once you are comfortable with spice and salt levels. lastly, serve bisibele rice with fresh spicy boondi pearls topped on it for your early morning breakfast lunch, or dinner. you may also use khara mixture or Bombay mixture as an alternative to khara boondi.

Finally, I would request you to check my other Simple Rice Recipes Collection with this recipe post for the bisi bele bath recipe.it includes recipes like masale bhat, fried rice, Vangi Bhat, Puliyogare, veg pulao in cooker, Schezwan fried rice, dal khichdi, corn pulao, and lemon rice recipe. In addition, I would request you to check my other similar recipes collection from my blog like,

• Dal recipes collection
• Sambar recipes collection
• Sweets recipes collection

About Bisi Bele Bath

It is a traditional rice and lentil-based recipe known for its vibrant flavor, taste, and spice blend masala. In other words, Bisi Bele Bath is a spicy khichdi recipe with an additional purposed-based spice mix and a range of vegetables. It is particularly prepared for the morning breakfast but not limited to it and can be an ideal lunch box or tiffin box one-pot meal recipe. It is generally served as it is without any sides or condiments, yet serving it with yogurt raita or khara boondi makes it complete.

There are many types of Bisi Bele Bath recipes across South India and are made for different purposes. The authentic one is made with a combination of rice and lentils, but it can also be made with other hero ingredients. If the intention is to serve it during the fasting season, rice can be skipped and poha or rava can be used as an alternative. Rice-based recipes are typically forbidden during fasting, but poha can be a perfect alternative.

Chef Tips for Bisi Bele Bath

The recipe is very simple and there are fewer chances of going wrong. Yet few basic tips and suggestions –

1. Homemade Masala – There are many commercially available bisi bele bath masala mixes, yet none can match homemade flavor and taste. Hence, I would recommend using homemade masala for authentic taste.
2. Cook Rice & Lentils Together – Like the Khichdi recipe, cook rice and lentils together in a 1:1 ratio. Both have to be thoroughly cooked so that they form like a paste and are easily digestible.
3. Veggies Selection – The vegetable selection, is open-ended and any easily available vegetable can be used. Yet keep it balanced and do not overpower the rice lentil and masala flavor.
4. Consistency – The consistency of the recipe is key for its taste and flavor. It has to be semi-thick in consistency neither thick nor thin. Once rested, you may have to add water again to bring it to the right consistency.
5. Accompaniments – Typically, it is served with spicy boondi pearls and thick yogurt raita. Serving with these makes it more flavored and tasty, but not mandatory and can be skipped.

Video recipe:

Recipe card for Bisi Bele Bath:

How to make bisibelabath with step-by-step photos:

1. Firstly, in a heavy-bottomed pan take ¼ cup coriander seeds, ¼ cup chana dal, 2 tbsp urad dal, 2 tbsp cumin, ½ tsp methi, 2 tbsp sesame, and 2 tbsp poppy seeds.
   
2. Roast on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
   
3. Also add ½ tsp pepper, 6 pods cardamom, 2-inch cinnamon, 5 cloves.
   
4. Roast on low flame without burning the spices.
   
5. Transfer to the plate to cool completely.
   
6. In the pan heat 1 tsp oil and add 20 dried red chilli, a few curry leaves, and ¼ cup dry coconut.
   
7. Roast on low flame until the chilli turns crisp.
   
8. Transfer to the same plate and allow to cool completely.
   
9. Once the roasted spices are cooled completely, transfer to the mixer jar.
   
10. Add ½ tsp turmeric and ¼ tsp hing.
    
11. Blend to a fine powder and homemade bisi bele bath masala powder is ready.
    

How to make Karnataka-style bisibele bath:

1. Firstly, in a pressure cooker take ½ cup toor dal, ½ cup rice, ¼ tsp turmeric, and 1 tsp oil.
   
2. Add 3 cups of water and pressure cook for 5 whistles. Keep aside.
   
3. In a large kadai heat 2 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp ghee, and splutter 1 tsp mustard, 2 dried red chilli, pinch hing, 2 tbsp peanuts and a few curry leaves.
   
4. Add ½ onion and saute slightly.
   
5. Now add 1 carrot, 1 potato, 2 tbsp peas, 5 beans, ½ tomato, ½ tsp turmeric, and ½ tsp salt.
   
6. Saute for 2 minutes, or until the vegetables soften slightly.
   
7. Now add 3 cups water and boil for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked well.
   
8. Further, add ½ cup tamarind extract and boil well.
   
9. Add 3 tbsp bisi bele bath masala, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1 tsp salt.
   
10. Saute until the spices are well cooked.
    
11. Add cooked rice-dal, 1 tsp salt, 2 cups water, and mix well adjusting the consistency.
    
12. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the flavors are absorbed well.
    
13. Now pour the fried cashew and mix well. I have fried 2 tbsp cashews in 2 tsp ghee until the cashews turn crunchy.
    
14. Finally, enjoy bisi bele bath recipe with boondi and raita.
    

Notes:

• Firstly, you can prepare the spice mix in large quantities and store it in an airtight container.
• Also, add vegetables of your choice to make the bath nutritious.
• Additionally, you can adjust the spice depending on your preference.
• Finally, bisi bele bath recipe thickens once cooled, so adjust the consistency before serving.