Meal Prep · South Indian
Bisibele Bath
A comforting and wholesome South Indian one-pot meal packed with lentils, rice, and vegetables.
Ingredients
Tap to check offMethod
Step-by-step- Rinse toor dal and rice together thoroughly. Soak them in water for 15-20 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
- In a large pressure cooker or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 1 tbsp ghee. Add mustard seeds, and once they splutter, add cumin seeds, red chillies, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Then add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft and pulpy.
- Add the mixed vegetables, turmeric powder, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the soaked dal and rice, and add them to the cooker. Mix well with the vegetables.
- Add the bisibele bath powder and mix thoroughly for 1 minute.
- Extract tamarind pulp from the soaked tamarind and add it to the mixture. Stir well.
- Add 6-7 cups of water (adjust for desired consistency; Bisibele Bath should be a bit soupy). Close the pressure cooker lid and cook for 4-5 whistles on medium flame, or until dal and rice are well cooked and mushy.
- Once the pressure releases naturally, open the lid. Mash the mixture lightly with the back of a ladle to achieve a uniform consistency.
- In a small pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp ghee. Add a few curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida. Pour this tempering over the bisibele bath.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with a dollop of ghee, boondi, or potato chips.
Nutrition
Per serving| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
Storage & Freezer Guide
Make it last Refrigerator 3-4 days
Store leftover Bisibele Bath in an airtight container. It tends to thicken upon cooling.
Freezer Up to 1 month
Portion cooled Bisibele Bath into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat Stovetop/Microwave
Add a splash of water or vegetable broth while reheating on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For microwave, heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until warm. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Chef’s Corner
- For authentic flavor, use homemade Bisibele Bath powder. It typically contains roasted lentils, dried red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, and cinnamon.
- Don’t skimp on the ghee! A generous dollop of ghee at the end enhances the flavor and richness significantly.
- Adjust the amount of water based on your preferred consistency. Bisibele Bath is traditionally a bit runny and mushy, not dry like pulao.
