Mtr Bisi Bele Bath Powder Recipe Ingredients Home Cooking

Mtr Bisi Bele Bath Powder is the heart and soul of the classic South Indian rice-and-lentil dish Bisi Bele Bath — a spicy, tangy, one-pot meal with deep roots in Karnataka cuisine. According to traditional food history, Bisi Bele Bath (“hot lentil rice”) originated in the Mysore Palace before becoming a beloved staple across the region and beyond.

Recipe Card

Ingredients

Below is a complete ingredients list with exact quantities to make authentic MTR-style Bisi Bele Bath at home — including rice, lentils, vegetables, and homemade spice powder.

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain rice (such as sona masuri)
• ¾ cup toor dal (pigeon peas)
• 1½ cups mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, potato)
• 1 small lemon-sized tamarind ball, soaked in warm water
• 2 tbsp freshly prepared Bisi Bele Bath Powder
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• Salt to taste

Bisi Bele Bath Powder (Homemade)

This spice mixture is key to the flavor. You can use store-bought like , or make it from scratch: Understanding Mtr Bisi Bele Bath is essential.

• 4 tsp coriander seeds
• 4 tsp chana dal (Bengal gram)
• 4 tsp urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
• 10–12 dried red chillies (Byadagi or Kashmiri)
• 3–4 cloves
• 3–4 green cardamom pods
• 1½ inch cinnamon stick
• 2 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
• 2–3 tsp desiccated dry coconut
• 1 pinch asafoetida

The spices above are a blend adapted from traditional Karnataka masala recipes.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Rice and Lentils (20 mins)

1. Rinse 1 cup rice until water runs clear. Set aside.
2. Rinse toor dal and cook in a pressure cooker with 2 cups water and a pinch of turmeric until soft and mushy (about 5 whistles).
3. In a separate pot, cook rice with 2 cups water until tender but not overly mushy. Drain and keep warm.

2. Make Bisi Bele Bath Powder (10 mins)

If you’re grinding your own spice mix:
1. Heat a dry skillet over low heat. Add coriander seeds and dry roast for 2 minutes until aromatic.
2. Add chana dal and urad dal and roast for 2–3 minutes.
3. Add red chillies, cumin seeds, fenugreek, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, poppy seeds, and dry coconut. Roast for 2–3 mins.
4. Remove from heat, cool completely, then grind to a fine powder with a pinch of asafoetida. This relates to Mtr Bisi Bele Bath.

3. Cook Vegetables & Combine (15 mins)

1. In a heavy bottom pan, heat 1 tbsp ghee or oil. Add diced mixed vegetables and sauté for 5–7 mins until slightly tender.
2. Add tamarind water (strained), cooked dal, cooked rice, and 2 tbsp of the powder.
3. Add 1 cup water and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly and simmer gently for 10 mins until everything blends into a thick, porridge-like consistency.

4. Tempering (5 mins)

1. In a small tadka pan, heat the remaining ghee. Add mustard seeds and allow to pop.
2. Add curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida. Pour this seasoning over the rice mixture. Mix well.

Pro Tips From Personal Cooking Experience

• When I first made this, I underestimated how aromatic freshly roasted spices could be — they transform the dish far more than pre-ground mixes.
• Use Byadagi chillies for color, Kashmiri chillies for mild heat.
• Toast the dry coconut separately until golden for deeper flavor.
• If the bath becomes too thick while simmering, add splashes of hot water instead of cold to keep the texture smooth.
• Serve hot with a dollop of ghee — it melts into the rice, enriching every bite.

Chef’s Notes

Substitutions

If you don’t have poppy seeds, sesame seeds make a good substitute. Marathi moggu (kapok buds) can be added for authenticity, but if unavailable, more cardamom and a pinch of nutmeg offer depth. For a vegan version, use oil instead of ghee and skip cashews. Learn more about Mtr Bisi Bele Bath.

Storage Tips

Store leftover Bisi Bele Bath Powder in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. Refrigeration helps if your kitchen is humid. Cooked bath can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat with a splash of water to loosen textures.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

These nutrition estimates are based on typical homemade versions with veggies and dal; commercial data suggest similar mid-range calorie counts for servings of Bisi Bele Bath.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot in bowls, topped with extra ghee or roasted cashews. A side of fresh onion raita, cucumber raita, or crispy papad elevates the experience.

External Reference

Learn more about this iconic South Indian dish on Wikipedia’s Bisi Bele Bath page.