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Vegetarian, South and Southeast Asian

Bisi bele bath

Bisi bele bath is a dish from Karnataka made of rice and red lentils simmered with vegetables and a touch of tamarind. It serves 4, takes 60 minutes, has a medium difficulty level, and costs about €1.50 per person. The key is cooking the rice and lentils until very soft, so the dish turns out with the texture of a loose risotto.

Tonight, bisi bele bath, the comfort dish from Karnataka, rice and lentils simmered with vegetables and tamarind, served with papadums.

Bisi bele bath
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€1.50
Calories per person
620 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Bisi bele bath cooks rice and red lentils together in one pot until both turn soft and almost creamy. Carrots, green beans, and peas add crunch and color, while tamarind brings a gentle tang that wakes up the whole dish. Coconut and spices, coriander, cumin, chili, cinnamon, build a fragrant base without making it too hot.

This is a fall and winter dish, the kind you make on a weeknight when you want something warm and filling without meat. Mon Chou suggests it for adults and teens who enjoy slightly spiced flavors, with grilled papadums on the side for crunch. It takes a bit of prep, but once the vegetables are chopped, it is just one pot to watch.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Riceoften in the pantry 200 g
  • Red lentilsoften in the pantry 150 g
  • Tamarind paste 1 tbsp
  • Ground corianderoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Ground cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Shredded coconut 2 tbsp
  • Papadums 8

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 2
  • Green beans 150 g
  • Onion 1

Frozen foods

  • Frozen peas 100 g

Dairy

  • Butter 30 g

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the rice and lentils together in 1.5 liters of salted water until very soft. 25 min

    Stir occasionally, the mixture sticks easily.

  2. Sauté the chopped onion, then add the diced carrots, chopped green beans, and peas. 10 min

    Cut the vegetables into small dice, so they cook in about the same time.

  3. Add the spices, coconut, and diluted tamarind, and let the vegetables simmer covered. 10 min

    Taste before salting, the tamarind already adds acidity.

  4. Mix the vegetables with the rice and lentils and simmer a few more minutes, adding hot water as needed. 8 min

    Bisi bele bath thickens as it cools, so add water generously.

  5. Melt the butter and pour it over the dish, grill the papadums over a flame or in the microwave, and serve. 3 min

    Papadums crisp up in 30 seconds in the microwave, keep an eye on them.

Our tips to get it right

  • Dilute the tamarin paste in a little warm water before adding it, it blends in more smoothly and avoids concentrated sour lumps.
  • Dice all the vegetables before you start cooking the rice, so the rest of the recipe moves without any downtime.
  • If the bisi bele bath thickens too much while waiting to be served, stir in a little hot water and warm it gently.

The variations

  • Swap the green beans for diced zucchini when it is in season, it cooks just as fast and soaks up the spices well.
  • For a spicier version, add a slit green chili with the onion at the start of cooking the vegetables.
  • To save time, use leftover cooked rice and just simmer the lentils a bit longer on their own before combining everything.

What to serve it with

  • Extra crispy papadums
  • Plain yogurt to cool it down
  • Mango or cilantro chutney

Storage

Bisi bele bath keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well without the papadums, reheat it with a splash of water to bring back its texture. Grill the papadums fresh right before serving.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different lentil instead of red lentils?

Red lentils cook fast and break down easily, which gives the dish its creamy texture. Split yellow lentils work too, but you may need to simmer them a bit longer.

Can you make bisi bele bath ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead and reheat it gently with some hot water. It thickens as it cools, so always keep extra liquid on hand when serving.

Is tamarind essential to this recipe?

It gives the dish its signature tang, which is hard to replace exactly. If you do not have any, a splash of lemon juice added at the end gives a similar sour note, in a smaller amount.

How do you grill papadums without frying them?

Microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds, they puff up and turn crisp without any added fat. You can also hold them briefly over a gas flame, flipping them as they crisp up.

How long does it take to make a bisi bele bath?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a bisi bele bath?

About 620 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a bisi bele bath cost?

About €1.50 per serving, or €6.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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