Bisibele bath

Bisi bele bath is a rice-based dish with its origins in the state of karnataka.The name bisi bele bath is a Kannada phrase, which literally means "Hot Lentil brown Rice". In Kannada, Bisi means hot, bele means lentils and bath means a dish made of rice.It’s a one pot meal in which you get your protein, carbs and veggies cooked to perfection in our favourite Indian spices. Cucumber raita on the side is a nice compliment to this classic dish of Karnataka.here i have used freshly grounded spices which tastes great or else the masala powder used for the dish is available off the shelf in all the grocery stores.

Ingredients: 1cup rice
                    1cup toor dal
                    1cup mixed vegetables(beans,carrot,potato,green peas) finely chopped
                    1onion finely chopped
                    1tomato finely chopped
                    1/2cup tamarind pulp
                    1/4cup jaggery crushed
                    5tsp masala powder
                    1/4cup cashew
                    1/2tsp turmeric powder
                    3tsp curry leaves
                    1tsp mustard seeds
                    1/4tsp asafoetida
                    5-6tsp oil
                    8cups of water(1:4 proportion)
                    salt to taste

masala powder: 1tsp urad dal
                          1tsp channa dal
                          1tsp cumin seeds
                          1tsp coriander seeds
                          1/4tsp methi seeds
                          1/2tsp black pepper
                          1/2tsp poppy seeds
                          8-10 red chillies
                          1/4cup dry coconut grated
                          1' cinnamon
                          4 cloves
                          1 star anise(chakra phool/chakra moggu)
                          2 capers(kachra/marathi moggu)

Method:

masala powder: dry roast all the ingredients and grind them together to form a fine powder

bisibele bath: 1)shallow fry cashews and keep aside.
                      2)heat oil in a cooker, add mustard seeds, asafoetida and when the mustard seeds splutter
                         add curry leaves and fry for a minute, add onions and fry till they turn pink, add
                         tomatoes and cook till they are soft. now add vegetables,turmeric powder,tamarind              
                         pulp, jaggery and cook for a minute. add rice, dal, masala powder and fry for a minute.
                         now add water, salt and pressure cook it for 5-6 whistles(rice must be over cooked)
                      3)check the consistency, add water if required. add cashews and mix well.
                      4)serve hot with boondi and raita.