Bisi beLe bhath (with poha/avalakki)
A popular one pot dish from Karnataka loaded with vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 cup poha/avalakki
- 3/4 cup toor daal
- 10 cups water
- 1/2 tea spn tamarind extract
- 2 tea spns Bisi bele bhath masala
- 1 tea spn jaggery optional
- 1/2 tea spn mustard seeds
- 2 tea spns oil/ghee
- A pinch asafoetida
- 4-5 curry leaves
- 1/2 cup onion pieces
- A pinch turmeric
- 1/2 cup tomato
- 3/4 cup vegetables carrot, potato, beans
- 2 strands coriander leaves
- Salt
Instructions
- Heat approximately 8 cups of water.
- When it starts boiling, add toor daal and a pinch of turmeric.
- When daal is cooked, add vegetables (except onion and tomato).
- Cook till vegetables are done.
- Add washed poha.
- Cook for 2-3mins.
- Add bisi beLe bhath powder, tamarind (mixed with remaining two cups of water), jaggery and salt. Cook till almost all water is absorbed (the bhath should not become too dry, so stop when it is in semi solid state).
- In a separate pan, heat ghee/oil (ghee tastes better), add mustard.
- When they start popping, add curry leaves and asafoetida.
- Add onions and fry till they turn slightly brownish.
- Now add tomato and fry till they become slightly soft.
- Add this mixture to bhath and mix well.
- Garnish with coriander leaves.
- Serve hot.
Notes
I haven't used pressure cooker for cooking this as mentioned by my friend.
If using cooker, make sure not to cook the daal too much. It should not be mashed.Cook daal and vegetables in the cooker and then repeat the procedure in microwave or stove top, since the poha might get completely mashed if cooked in cooker.