Bise Bele Bhath(Hot Lentil Rice)


My Special platter with concoction of pleasing elements was the lone thing comforting past week ,which has been a roller coaster of emotions.Was anxious and excited to begin with, about our move to Columbus OH ,busy with packing and cleaning up ,then the frightening halt to our motives with Nabeel's wrist bone fracture, from a terrible fall off the monkey bars.Now we patiently wait until my buddy boy recovers from the injury,ain't going to be much fun for him,with an end to all summers adventures.

About the dish that comforted us,comes from the Spicy South Indian Cuisine.What makes this dish so flavorful is the fresh home made spice mix,of course you do have the option of using a store bought help and buy the MTR Sambhar mix available in all Indian stores, but making the dish from the scratch imparts intense spicy flavors that's worth all the effort.
This was my first attempt in making BBB,so I had to refer some expert recipes of - Madhu,Sia and Madhuram.I used Brown rice and wild rice blend instead of plain white to add a little more protein and fiber.Though it was little too spicy for Nabeel,but me and hubby dear devoured every bite of the spicy meal.

Recipe :Roasted Spice mix
Yields about 1/2 a cup (about 4 ounces\100 grams)
Ingredients
2 tablespoon Chana Dal(split chickpeas)[see the lentil collage]
3 tablespoon Urad dal(Split black gram)
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds(methi)
1 teaspoon pepper corns(Whole Kali mirchi)
1 cinnamon stick(about 3 inches)
2 cloves
4-6 Dry red chillies
1 teaspoon cumin seeds(Zeera)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 cup Organic unsweetened desiccated Coconut
Method
Dry roast all the spices and lentils(except for turmeric and coconut) in a pan on medium-low heat .Stir occasionally.When the lentils get a light brown color and are roasted well.Cool and grind along with turmeric and coconut in a coffee grinder or a heavy duty grinder(like Sumeet).Use the mix for making the Hot lentil rice,can also be used in curries and to make Sambhar.Store in an air tight container for 2-3 months.

Recipe Bise Bele Bhath(Hot Lentil Rice)
Serves 2-3
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Rice (I used blend of Brown rice and wild rice)
1/2 cup Toor Dal(split pigeon peas)
1 big carrot,peeled and sliced
1/2 cup green peas(I used baby soy beans)
1 cup Cauliflower or broccoli,chopped
1/2 cup french beans
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 teaspoon Tamarind paste(if using dry Tamarind soak about a walnut size ball in 1/2 cup of water for 15 minutes,strain the pulp and use the juice)
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
1 table spoon of roasted Spice mix(as prepared in above recipe) or use store bought Sambar spice mix available in Asian\Indian stores
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup roasted nuts ( I used Pistachios)
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil or Extra virgin olive oil
few curry leaves


Method
Cook Rice and lentils
Soak the rice and lentils in water for 10-15 minutes.Drain the water,transfer in a saucepan with lid or pressure cooker.Add about 3 cups of water ,1/2 teaspoon and 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.Cover and cook for about 40-45 minutes in the sauce pan and about 15-20 minutes in the pressure cooker on medium heat.

Cook the Vegetables
Heat the oil in saucepan on medium heat,add the onions and curry leaves; Saute for about 3-4 minutes then add rest of the vegetables,spice mix,and salt.Cover and cook until vegetables are tender,then add the tamarind paste with 1/2 cup of water or tamarind juice,simmer for another 3-4 minutes before mixing in the cooked rice and lentils.Cook on low heat for about 5 minutes until flavors fuse.The consistency should be little thick but not too runny.Garnish with nuts and serve in a deep soup plate or a bowl along with some home made yogurt(curd).

The plate of comfort is my entry for Lakshmi's RCI event,hosting Udupi and Mangalorean Cuisine ,this month is Sia of Monsoon Spice.
And also to Sunshinemom's Food in Colors,hosting this month's "Express your mood" theme is Nithya of Culinary Odyssey

Nutrition :
Calories per serving 200
Carbohydrates 35grams Fat 12.5grams Cholesterol 0mg sodium 900mg
sugar 9grams Protein 19grams Dietary Fiber 16grams.

Health Nut note
:
The sugar in the recipe is mainly from Tamarind,if you are on low-sugar diet,use 2 tablespoon of fresh squeezed lime juice instead.

Comments

Shri said…
Beautiful click!I love Bisibela Bath but I have always used the ready made mix to make it.Never tried it from scratch!
Gita Jaishankar said…
Oh thats very sad...hope your little one is feeling better now. Nice photo Yasmeen, love the addition of wild rice, usually I make this with brown rice only. Must try your version soon.
Bergamot said…
That's sad... here wishing an early recovery. Bise Bele Bhath looks yummy and really spicy. Been a long time since I had this... actually years.
oh thats really sad yasmeen..I wish for his early recovery dear...
that bisibelibath is really tempting..Even I have this in my drafts and waiting for it to b posted soon for the same event..need too think different now dear..:)
Yasmeen said…
Thank you everyone!
Nabeel is relatively better now, he can't run and jump,he does miss swimming ,as of now he is enjoying books,computer games and walks in the park
Vikis Kitchen said…
Moving is really a pain dear. My prayers for Nabeel to get well soon. I am sure God will make your move a wonderful one with all comforts.
BBB is my favo. Udipi hotels are famous in TN and I love that authentic taste very much:)
Ur Bise belebath looks so healthy and gorgeous.
Parita said…
Thats such a tempting click, made me hungry, i used to have this a lot when i was in bangalore :)
Ivy said…
Glad to hear that Nabeel is feeling much better now. The dish must be great with all those flavours.
Indian Khana said…
Looks yum...and with the added info its really nice...hope your little one in all with energy now..
Shabs.. said…
Hope nabeel gets well soon....Its such a pain when the little ones are hurt, isnt it...
That dish looks very nice...something that i really wanted to try some day...nice click too.
Anonymous said…
So,how is Nabeel doin now ? thats something very sad at this stage of shifting..hope to see him with the same vigour soon...
I have tasted many of Udupi specials..this lentil rice is a total comfort..perfect for your needs now..looks awesome as always dear...hugs
Rush said…
ur bisi bele bhath looks amazing with the nuts on top!!
Rush said…
is it an udupi special? really? i never knew it was a manglorean dish!!
neways..do send it to Sia's monsson spice..the theme is udupi!!
Oh thats really good that your little one is feeling better. I can understand that how much he misses the class and offcourse you too feel. He will recover perfectly soon.

Wow thats nice variation of using brown rice and also related to health point of view is also better choice. Looks so yumm and very perfect consistency too. Nice click dear..
Pooja said…
Oh thats sad..Wishing him a speedy recovery! The BBB looks so delicious! Never made from scratch though!
CurryLeaf said…
Hope Nabeel is on way to recovery.The BBB looks hot and spicy and it was great that you tried with wild rice and brown rice.Never I could get so innovative.I am yet to try BBB at home.Fantastic the BBB looks
lubnakarim06 said…
Inshalllah....Nabeel will recover soon.....and u have a safe move....BBB is one thing which i have to try my hands on...i tasted it for the first time I visited one local friend here in Bangalore....it tasted really superb......this looks yum.....i love the health nut touch to BBB.....
mona said…
Yasmeen, I never tried Bise bele Bhath. Sounds like a wonderful one-dish meal.
I pray that inshallah Nabeels's bone heals quickly and he enjoys his holidays inshallah.
All the best with the move!
Chef Jeena said…
This is so tasty and filling yum.
Dori said…
Great pic, looks delicious!
Nice click Yasmeen. I have tasted this baath but never tried making it myself. Maybe this recipe will insprire me.
Hazel Nut said…
Yum, that looks much better than the lentil salad I made the other day! I think the lentil salad is going to become lentil with rice. Yum!
Raks said…
Drooling!! I love this so much and urs looks so very nice!

Take care of kiddo! Dont worry,will recover soon!
Varsha Vipins said…
oh..sorry to hear abt Nabeel dear..hope hes getting better..give ma hugs..
n that platter is definitely so comforting..:)
Sanghi said…
This looks quite different from the common version! Yummmmy!
sangeeta said…
hope n wish quick recovery for Nabeel...Mithi joins me in praying for him.
never tried BBB...have heard much about it...will try cuz i love spicy food.
Ria Mathew said…
I love love love this so much!! Reminds me of my good ole college canteen days!! :)
Shama Nagarajan said…
lovely recipe...yummy
Hari Chandana P said…
Wow... wonderful dish.. looks soo delicious and spicy... amazing clicks!!
Anonymous said…
Oh...I'm sorry for your son.I wish him a very quick recovery :)!
A kiss,kiss of comfort to you,too!
Muneeba said…
This version of bisibele bath looks very different from the ones I've tried in restaurants ... but looks way more flavorful! And so colorful! Gorgeous pics.
Nithya Praveen said…
Beautiful pic.....addition of wild rice is new to me.lovely one!
veggie belly said…
Bise bela bath is one of my favorite things ever! yum!
Yasmeen said…
thank you all for the kind words and prayers for Nabeel.
Lisa Turner said…
A comforting dish indeed. I know I will always find something I want to make when I visit your blog.

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