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Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath
5 from 18 votes

Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath

Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath is a hearty Indian rice and lentil dish cooked with tamarind, a spice powder mix, assorted vegetables, and tempered spices including mustard seeds, cumin, and curry leaves. The dish combines spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors with a thick, porridge-like texture.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 409 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon tamarind aka Imli
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ¾ cup white rice I used Sona Masoori Rice
  • ½ cup split pigeon pea aka toor dal
Powder (or 2 tablespoon powder from store )
  • 4 dried red chili I used Kashmiri chili, use byadki is real spicier taste, whole
  • 1 inch cassia cinnamon aka Dalchini
  • 3 cloves aka Laung
  • 1 teaspoon chickpeas split, aka Chana dal
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds aka methi dana
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 small marathi moggu optional
  • 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut
For the rice
  • 2 tablespoon ghee use oil for vegan option, or oil
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds aka rai
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds aka Jeera
  • 8-10 curry leaves aka Kadi Patta
  • 1 pinch asafoetida aka hing
  • 12 cashews
  • 1 cup onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4.5 cup water
  • 2 teaspoon jaggery adjust to taste
Vegetables
  • ½ cup carrot diced
  • ½ cup green peas I used frozen
  • ¼ cup green beans diced
  • ¼ cup bell pepper diced

Instructions

Preparation:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Soak tamarind in ⅓ cup warm water for 15 minutes. Run through a sieve, and keep the liquid aside.
  2. Add rice and dal to a large bowl. Add water and wash multiple times until the water runs clear. Set aside.
Make Bisi bele bath powder or use 2 tablespoon of store-bought powder
  1. Start the Instant Pot in sauté mode, and let it heat.
  2. Add the bisi bele bath powder ingredients in the order listed. Dry roast for a minute until you get the roasted aroma.
  3. Then add the dried coconut and
  4. stir. Roast for 30 seconds and press cancel.
  5. Transfer to a blender. Let the roasted ingredients cool, then grind to a fine powder. Set aside.
Making the Rice
  1. Press Saute mode on Instant Pot, and let it heat. Add ghee, then add mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, asafetida, cashews & let them splutter.
  2. Take out half of the tempering, and save for later.
  3. Add onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft.
  4. Add all the vegetables, then add bisi bele bath powder, salt. Mix well.
  5. Add the washed toor dal and rice. Then add water, jaggery and give a stir. Close the lid with vent in sealing position.
  6. Set the pot to pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid.
  7. Add the tamarind water and mix well. Saute for couple of minutes. If needed, adjust consistency by adding hot water.
  8. Bisi Bele Bath is ready. Garnish with the reserved tempering and enjoy.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:
  1. Follow the same steps as above, but presure cook for 3 to 4 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.

Notes

  • Use store-bought Bisi Bele Bath masala or prepare the homemade powder as directed; adjust quantities to preferred spice levels.
  • Vegetables can be varied including drumstick, eggplant, sweet potato, pumpkin, or pearl onions according to preference.
  • If the dish becomes too thick after cooking or when reheating leftovers, add hot water and heat briefly to adjust consistency.
  • Bisi Bele Bath can be made using quinoa instead of rice with the same pressure cooking time.
  • If tamarind is unavailable, substitute lemon juice to achieve tanginess.
  • Prepare the spice powder a day or two in advance for convenience and enhanced flavor integration.

Nutrition Information

Calories 409kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 65g (22%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 621mg (26%) Potassium 712mg (15%) Fiber 13g (52%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 3675IU (74%) Vitamin C 130mg (144%) Calcium 96mg (10%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 409

% Daily Value*

Calories 409kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 65g 22%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 621mg 26%
Potassium 712mg 15%
Fiber 13g 52%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 3675IU 74%
Vitamin C 130mg 144%
Calcium 96mg 10%
Iron 4mg 22%

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