Bisi Bele Bath
Karnataka's beloved spiced rice and lentil dish - hot, tangy, and incredibly comforting.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Servings
4 people
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
Main
For Masala
Tempering
Instructions
Cook Rice and Dal
20 minsPressure cook rice and dal together with turmeric until soft and mushy. Set aside.
Make Bisi Bele Bath Powder
15 minsDry roast coriander, dals, chilies, and fenugreek. Add coconut and grind to powder.
Cook Vegetables
10 minsCook mixed vegetables until tender. Add tamarind paste, jaggery, and salt.
Combine
15 minsAdd cooked rice-dal mixture and masala powder. Mix well and simmer for 10 minutes.
Prepare Tempering
5 minsHeat ghee, add mustard, curry leaves, chilies, and cashews. Pour over the dish.
Serve
5 minsServe hot with extra ghee, papad, and boondi raita.
Chef's Tips
- Use fresh masala powder for best flavor
- Add more ghee for restaurant-style taste
- Tamarind gives the signature tang
- Serve with crispy boondi
The Story Behind Bisi Bele Bath
Bisi Bele Bath literally means "hot lentil rice" in Kannada. This one-pot meal originated in the kitchens of Mysore Palace and has become Karnataka's signature dish.
The dish gets its distinctive flavor from the special masala powder and the generous use of ghee. It's a complete meal in itself, traditionally served with boondi raita and papad.