Bisi Bele Bath Powder is a special and unique spice blend that is added to the preparation of the classic lentil and rice dish from the Karnataka cuisine called Bisi Bele Bath. This homemade Bisi Bele Bath Masala is the best that you can make.
Heat a frying pan or a small kadai and first dry roast the coriander, cumin and fenugreek until they are crisp and fragrant. Roast on a low heat and make sure you don't burn the spices. Remove and keep aside in a plate or tray.
In the same pan, now dry roast the cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, mace and marathi moggu till become aromatic. Remove and keep aside in the same plate and tray.
Now add chana dal and urad dal. These take a longer to roast than the spices.
Roast them stirring often till you get a nice lentil aroma and the lentils have become browned. Keep aside.
Now dry roast the dry red chilies till they become crisp.
Dry roast the curry leaves till they crisp.
Now roast the poppy seeds till they become light golden.
Roast the desiccated coconut stirring often till the flakes become golden.
Turn off heat and dry roast the asafoetida if you plan to add it in the masala powder.
Now let the roasted spices cool. Mix all the spices very well. Break the red chilies in small pieces. Deseed them if you prefer.
Add the ingredients in batches in a dry grinder or coffee grinder.
Grind to a fine powder. Remove from the jar and store the masala powder in an air-tight jar or container. Keep the jar in the refrigerator.
Use the Bisi Bele Bath Powder as needed.
Notes
If you want a less spicy masala powder reduce the quantity of the Guntur red chillies or opt to use chillies that are moderately spicy.
Make sure to use spices and other ingredients that are fresh, fragrant, of the best quality and within their shelf period.
Do not use stale or rancid spices. If you see some mold or insects or worms in any of the spices, then discard them. Preferably try to use organic spices.
Marathi Moggu is an essential spice if you want the traditional and authentic Bisi Bele Bath Masala Powder. If you don’t get Marathi moggu or kapok buds in your local market, order online.
While dry roasting the spices, ensure that you roast them on low heat and not burn the spices. Stir often so that the spices get roasted evenly. Also make sure to use a heavy pan or skillet.
Poppy seeds can be skipped if you are not able to source it.
Easily scale the recipe to make for less or more quantities of the masala.
The approximate nutrition info is for the entire batch of Bisi Bele Bath powder made from this recipe.