Bisibelebath Recipe

Ingredients:

For Bisibelebath Powder:

• 4 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons chana dal (split chickpeas)
• 1 tablespoon urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 4-5 dried red chilies
• 1 cinnamon stick (2-inch)
• 4-5 cloves
• 2-3 cardamom pods

For Bisibelebath:

• 1 cup rice (preferably short-grain rice like sona masuri)
• 1/2 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, potato), chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons jaggery or sugar (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 3-4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• A handful of curry leaves
• Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Instructions:

For Bisibelebath Powder:

1. Dry roast all the ingredients listed for Bisibelebath powder until fragrant. Make sure not to burn them.
2. Allow the roasted ingredients to cool down, then grind them into a fine powder.
3. Set aside the prepared Bisibelebath powder.

For Bisibelebath:

1. Wash the rice and toor dal separately under running water until the water runs clear. Soak them separately for about 30 minutes.
2. In a pressure cooker, add the soaked rice, soaked toor dal, mixed vegetables, chopped onion, chopped tomatoes, tamarind paste, jaggery or sugar (if using), salt to taste, and 3-4 cups of water.
3. Cook over medium heat for about 4-5 whistles or until the rice and dal are cooked well and mushy.
4. Once the pressure is released, open the pressure cooker lid and mash the cooked rice and dal mixture lightly.
5. Add Bisibelebath powder to the cooked rice and dal mixture. Mix well to combine.
6. Heat ghee or oil in a pan. Add curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds.
7. Pour the tempered ghee or oil along with curry leaves over the Bisibelebath mixture. Mix well to incorporate the flavors.
8. Garnish Bisibelebath with chopped coriander leaves.
9. Serve hot Bisibelebath with a dollop of ghee, accompanied by papad, pickle, or raita.

Enjoy the aromatic and flavorful Bisibelebath, a quintessential South Indian comfort food!