Servings
Font
Back
4.9 from 63 votes

Bisi Bele Bath Powder

Bisi Bele Bath Powder is a special and unique spice blend that is added to the preparation of the classic lentil and rice dish from the Karnataka cuisine called Bisi Bele Bath. This homemade Bisi Bele Bath Masala is the best that you can make.

Prep Time
30 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 1 medium bottle
Calories: 561 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coriander seeds
  • ¼ cup chana dal (husked and split bengal gram)
  • 1 tablespoon urad dal (husked and split black gram)
  • 10 to 12 byadagi chillies or bedgi red chilies - or swap with lesser hot dry red chilies
  • 5 to 7 guntur red chilies or swap with hot dry red chilies or medium-hot red chillies
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 3 green cardamoms
  • 1.5 inches cinnamon
  • 3 to 4 cloves
  • 4 marathi moggu (kapok buds)
  • 4 tablespoon desiccated coconut - unsweetened
  • 2 teaspoon poppy seeds (khus khus)
  • ½ of a whole mace or 1 small mace (javitri)
  • ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
  • 12 to 14 curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon asafoetida (hing) - optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a frying pan or a small kadai and first dry roast the coriander, cumin and fenugreek until they are crisp and fragrant. Roast on a low heat and make sure you don't burn the spices. Remove and keep aside in a plate or tray.
  2. In the same pan, now dry roast the cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, mace and marathi moggu till become aromatic. Remove and keep aside in the same plate and tray.
  3. Now add chana dal and urad dal. These take a longer to roast than the spices.
  4. Roast them stirring often till you get a nice lentil aroma and the lentils have become browned. Keep aside.
  5. Now dry roast the dry red chilies till they become crisp.
  6. Dry roast the curry leaves till they crisp.
  7. Now roast the poppy seeds till they become light golden.
  8. Roast the desiccated coconut stirring often till the flakes become golden.
  9. Turn off heat and dry roast the asafoetida if you plan to add it in the masala powder.
  10. Now let the roasted spices cool. Mix all the spices very well. Break the red chilies in small pieces. Deseed them if you prefer. 
  11. Add the ingredients in batches in a dry grinder or coffee grinder.
  12. Grind to a fine powder. Remove from the jar and store the masala powder in an air-tight jar or container. Keep the jar in the refrigerator.
  13. Use the Bisi Bele Bath Powder as needed.

Notes

  • If you want a less spicy masala powder reduce the quantity of the Guntur red chillies or opt to use chillies that are moderately spicy.
  • Make sure to use spices and other ingredients that are fresh, fragrant, of the best quality and within their shelf period.
  • Do not use stale or rancid spices. If you see some mold or insects or worms in any of the spices, then discard them. Preferably try to use organic spices.
  • Marathi Moggu is an essential spice if you want the traditional and authentic Bisi Bele Bath Masala Powder. If you don’t get Marathi moggu or kapok buds in your local market, order online.
  • While dry roasting the spices, ensure that you roast them on low heat and not burn the spices. Stir often so that the spices get roasted evenly. Also make sure to use a heavy pan or skillet.
  • Poppy seeds can be skipped if you are not able to source it.
  • Easily scale the recipe to make for less or more quantities of the masala.
  • The approximate nutrition info is for the entire batch of Bisi Bele Bath powder made from this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Calories 561kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Sodium 40mg (2%) Potassium 975mg (28%) Fiber 42g (168%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 2494IU (50%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.2mg Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.3mg Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 140mg Vitamin B6 0.2mg Vitamin C 254mg (282%) Vitamin E 1mg Vitamin K 14µg Calcium 606mg (61%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 1423µg Iron 15mg (83%) Magnesium 215mg Phosphorus 307mg Zinc 4mg

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1medium bottle

Amount Per Serving

Calories 561

% Daily Value*

Calories 561kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 81g 27%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Sodium 40mg 2%
Potassium 975mg 21%
Fiber 42g 168%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 2494IU 50%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.2mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.3mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 140mg
Vitamin B6 0.2mg
Vitamin C 254mg 282%
Vitamin E 1mg
Vitamin K 14µg
Calcium 606mg 61%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 1423µg
Iron 15mg 83%
Magnesium 215mg 54%
Phosphorus 307mg
Zinc 4mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.