Easy Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath

This easy one-pot recipe is a family favorite. It is the ultimate comfort meal after a busy day. It is also a sure way to get all the veggies in without any fuss. My kids and husband are huge fans of this instant pot bisi bele bath. They love it topped with yogurt.

Watch How to Make Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath

What is Bisi Bele Bath?

The word Bisi means ‘hot‘, Bele means “lentil” and Bath means “rice“. It is also known as Bisi Bele Huliyanna and is a royal dish that originated from the kitchens of the Mysore palace. This recipe can use up to 30 ingredients and is a very important part of the Udupi cuisine. This recipe is somewhat similar to the South Indian Sambhar Sadham, but it stands out with its unique flavor of freshly ground aromatic spices. This Instant Pot bisi bele bath is a wholesome meal that has the richness of lentils (dal) combined with nutritious vegetables. It can be served piping hot with onion raita, kara boondi, poriyal, or papad for a hearty meal.

How to make Bisi Bele Bath?

The best way to make this Instant Pot bisi bele bath is by preparing fresh ground masala powder at home. But if you are in a hurry, you can also use store-bought bisi bele bath masala. I usually use MTR Bisibelebath masala when I am not that inclined to make the masala powder from scratch.

Preparation

Soak Tamarind: Before starting this delicious recipe, you need to soak the required amount of tamarind in warm water for 15 minutes. Run the soaked tamarind through a sieve and keep the liquid aside. Once you have completely strained the tamarind, you can discard the pulp. Wash Rice & Dal: Add the rice and dal to a large bowl and wash till the water runs clear and set aside.

Making Bisi Bele Bath Masala

Start by gathering all the dry whole spices. Start the Instant pot in sauté mode, and let it heat for a bit. Then add all the ingredients to the pot and dry roast them until you get a roasted aroma. Then add dried coconut and sauté for about 30 seconds. Transfer the ingredients to a grinder. Once the roasted spices have cooled down to room temperature, grind them to a fine powder and set them aside.

Making Bisi Bele Bath

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. While it heats, add ghee, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida, and cashews and let them splutter. Save half of the tempering for later use. Then add the diced onions and sauté for a few minutes till they become soft and transparent. Add all the diced vegetables to this mix, along with the freshly ground bisibelebath powder and salt. Mix them well till the vegetables are coated well with masala.

Then add the washed toor dal and rice that you have set aside to the Instant pot. Add the required amount of water and a pinch of jaggery, and stir them well. Close the Instant Pot with the vent in a sealing position and set it to pressure cook. Then, do a natural pressure release.

Add the tamarind water and mix well. Delicious Bisi Bele Bath is ready. Garnish it with the reserved tempering and enjoy.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

To make this Bisi Bele Bath as a one-pot recipe on the stovetop, follow the same steps as above. But pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles until the dal and rice are soft. Let the pressure release naturally. I hope you enjoy this easy one-pot Bisi Bele Bath. I would love to hear how it turns out. Leave a review or share a picture with #pipingpotcurry Store-bought: If you are short on time, use store-bought MTR Bisibelebath powder or sambhar powder. However, adjust the quantity to suit your spice preference. Vegetables: You can use vegetables of your choice, but personally, I prefer sturdy vegetables like drumsticks, potatoes, peas, and squash as they hold shape and don’t mushy against the rice. Consistency: If the cooked rice becomes too thick, add a cup of hot water and mix well. Heat the rice for 1-2 minutes for the water to blend in well. Always taste check after you have added the water. Storing: Usually, Bisibelebath does well for a one-time meal, but if you are storing the rice, it can clump by soaking all the liquid. To reheat, let the dish return to room temperature, then add a bit of hot water as per your preferred consistency and reheat. Quinoa: You can substitute quinoa for rice in this recipe and enjoy a healthier version. Tamarind: If you don’t have tamarind, you can substitute it with lemon juice.