Bisi Bele bath-Hot Rice with Lentils Stew

Bisi bele bath-Hot lentils mixed with rice is a very famous dish of Bangalore.It is exactly the most suitable rice that fits the ever busy Bangalore I should say :). It is a very hearty,comforting one pot meal which is healthy and will keep you full for long time. This is very easy to make though the list of ingredients may look long.Once the bisi bele bath powder is ready,this dish can be made in a jiffy :). This makes a meal for gloomy monsoons along with crisp papads.Please try and let me know.

Bisi bele bath-Traditional rice item from Karnataka
Star ingredient- rice,dal
Time-40 minutes
Serves-4
Ingredients:
2 cup rice
1 cup mixed vegetables
1/2 cup split pigeon peas (toor dal)
1/2 moong dal
1 small piece of jaggery
4 teaspoons thick tamrind extract
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon asafoetida
10-12 curry leaves
Salt
Oil+ghee
To powder
1 1/2 tablespoon channa dal
2 tablespoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon black pepper corn
6 dried red chilles
1/2 teaspoon asafoetida
1/4 fenugreek seeds
2 cloves
1/4 inch piece cinnamon
4 tablespoon dried coconut
1 teaspoon roasted dal
Method:
1.Cook,rice and dal separately until little mushy.Cut the vegetables of your choice into small cubes and cook 70% directly. (Choice of vegetables-Potatoes,carrots,peas,beans,brinjal etc)
 2.In a skillet add little oil,add the ingredients channa dal through dried coconut,and saute well.Take
care not to burn.Grind to a fine powder along with roasted dal.

3.In the same kadai,add little more oil,temper with mustard seeds and asafoetida.Add the semi cooked vegetables,saute well for few minutes.Add 2-3 teaspoons of  ground powder and saute well again.
4.Add the tamrind extract and boil for few more minutes.Now add both the dals,add 4 cups of water,jaggery and salt.Bring to vigorous boil.Once the stew thickens,add the curry leaves and remove from heat.
5.Take steamed rice in a wide vessel,add the cooked sambar and mix well.Add 2 teaspoons of ghee and mix again.Serve with papads.

Notes:
1.You can skip asafoetida while tempering and add pearl onions.
2.Add two finely chopped tomatoes along with vegetables for more tangy taste.
3.I have made it little less mushy,you can make it more mushy according to taste.
4.Instead of rice you can substitute beaten rice,rolled oats and make bisibela bath in the same procedure.
5.Traditionally moong dal is not use but I mix it with toor dal.
6.Store the excess masala powder air tight for later use.