Bisi Bele Bath made with Steel Cut Oats

1 cup Toor dal  wash and cook in 3 cups of water.  While the dal is cooking, prepare the spices.

Spices for grinding:
1/4 cup coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

While the dal is cooking, first roast the coriander seeds, black pepper, fenugreek seeds in a little bit of sesame oil until a wonderful aroma is give out, do not allow it to burn, when done keep it aside.

5 cloves
4 1" stick cinnamon
5 whole red chili or to taste

Next roast the cloves, cinnamon and red chili in little bit of sesame oil or til oil till it darkens and a nice aroma is given out, do not allow it to burn.  Add it to the above roasted ingredients. 

Add 1/2 cup shredded dry coconut (can substitute with fresh shredded coconut) to the roasted ingredients.

Grind all of the roasted ingredients with the coconut and some water to a smooth paste.

Other ingredients:

1 cup steel cut oats
3 cups water or enough for preparation
1 cup each of chopped butternut squash, chayote squash and carrot (total 3 cups)
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 1/2 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
a pinch of asafoetida
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1 tablespoon jaggery


When the dal is about ninety percent cooked takes about 35 to 40 minutes add the vegetables and oats and cook for 20 minutes or until the vegetables and oats are cooked.  Next add the ground spices paste, turmeric powder, asafoetida, salt and jaggery and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until all is mixed and done

For tempering
1 tablespoon sesame oil or til oil (or use ghee)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoon channa dal
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1/4 cup of clarified butter or ghee

Heat the sesame oil, add mustard seeds, channa dal and fenugreek seeds.
When the mustard seed pop add it to the bisi bele.  Slightly roast the peanuts add it to the bisi bele mix, add the clarified butter to the bisi bele mix and serve.  Serves 6

Serve as a main item with with pachadi, any curry and chips.

Originally from the State of Karnataka, this is a very popular gourmet dish that is served at parties and big events.  It is made with rice instead of steel cut oats.