Bisi Bele Bath Powder
on Sep 03, 2015, Updated Jul 29, 2020
Make your own traditional Karnataka Style Bisi Bele Bath Powder from scratch and take your preparation a notch higher. Here is a tried and tested recipe of how to make this Bath Masala at home.
Here are some more similar recipes, that you can give it a try – Sambar Powder, Karivepaku Podi, Kerala Garam Masala Powder and Andhra Style Peanut Chutney Powder.
About this Recipe
The rice dish made using Bisi Bele Bath Powder is steaming hot, spicy and very satiating.
The secret for making it is to make the masala fresh at home. These days, ready made powder is readily available in the grocery stores. However, I recommend that if you make this Powder at home then the Bhat would taste way delicious than you expect!
The authentic recipe of Bisi Bele Bath Powder recommends the usage of ‘Marathi Moggu’ or ‘kapok buds‘. These are clove like spices with a musky aroma and gives an authentic taste to the masala.
These are easily available in the stores in Karnataka but I am not sure if I have seen them anywhere else. You can order them online if these are not available or replace it with cloves.
It’s always great to make this powdered bhat mix and keep it ready in your house so that you can whip up a delicious bowl of bhat in no time at all.
This Bisi Bele Bath Powder is,
- Fresh
- Easy to make
- Made with few everyday ingredients
- Better than the store bought one
Ingredients to be used
Dal – We will use Dal to make this powder, which will be lightly roasted before grinding it. For this spice powder, we will use Chana Dal and Urad Dal.
Spices – When it comes to spices, we will require coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, cloves, cinnamon, green cardamom, mace, marathi moggu, black peppercorns and poppy seeds.
If you can’t find Marathi Moggu, you can substitute it with cloves in this recipe.
Chillies – For preparing this Powder Recipe, we also use two types of chilies. Byadgi chilies and Guntur chilies. Byadgi chilies grant a nice deep red color to the masala whereas the Guntur chilies make the masala spicy. You may use these chillies as per your preference and balance the spiciness.
Coconut – Dry Coconut is also used, that gives it that South Indian touch as well as flavour.
Curry Leaves – I love the taste curry leaves adds to this powder. Curry Leaves is an essential ingredient in everyday South Indian cooking and thus here also it is a main ingredient.
Also use fresh Curry Leaves for the best flavour.
Hing – This is optional, but adds a nice flavour. If you want to make this powder gluten free, you can avoid adding it.
Step By Step Recipe
Dry roast both the chilies till slightly aromatic.
Remove from the pan.
Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds till slightly browned and aromatic.
Remove from the pan.
Dry roast chana dal and urad dal till slightly browned.
Remove from the pan.
Dry roast cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, mace, marathi moggu and black peppercorns till slightly aromatic.
Remove from the pan.
Dry roast poppy seeds till slightly browned.
Remove from the pan.
Dry roast coconut till slightly browned.
Remove from the pan.
Add all the ingredients in a blender and make a fine powder.
Frequently asked Questions:
Marathi Moggu which is also known as Kapok Buds, are dried buds of the Kapok tree or the Silk Cotton tree. It is known by the name of Moggu in Kannada and Mogga in Telugu.
It resembles to cloves which has a musky aroma and tastes like the combination of clove and mustard seeds. Use of this Marathi Moggu in masala, gives this powder an authentic taste.
Yes, you can! But use of fresh coconut powder will reduce the shelve life of this Powder. If you use fresh coconut, it will only last for 4-5 days or even less.
The answer to this is NO! The spices used in both these powders are different and thus the taste of both these powders is also different. Addition of both these powders will lend a very different taste to the recipes.
Bisi Bele Bath Powder is mainly prepared for Bisi Bele Bath, a popular rice and lentil recipe from Karnataka cuisine. Other than Bisi Bele Bath, you can use this powder in your everyday Pulavs and Biryanis, to add an extra flavor and make it more delicious.
You can also add this powder in everyday Sabzi, Curries or even in Dal to experiment with the taste.
Storage Suggestions
I love South Indian Bisi Bele Bath! This is why whenever I get some free time, this powder is prepared at home and stored it in an airtight container. It last for about 2 months.
You can even freeze it and it will last for months.
You might also like:
Andhra Style Peanut Chutney Powder
Bisi Bele Bath Masala Powder
Ingredients
- 10-12 Byadgi Chillies
- 5-6 Guntur Chillies
- ¼ cup Coriander Seeds
- ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- ½ teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds
- 2 tablespoon Chana Dal
- 1 tablespoon Urad Dal
- 2-3 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 2-3 Green Cardamom
- 1 inch Mace
- 4-5 Marathi Moggu
- 5-6 Black Peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds
- ¼ cup Dry Coconut (Dessicated)
- 6-8 Curry Leaves
- ¼ teaspoon Hing
Instructions
- Dry roast both the chilies till slightly aromatic.
- Remove from the pan.
- Dry roast dhaniya, zeera and methi till slightly browned and aromatic.
- Remove from the pan.
- Dry roast chana dal and urad dal till slightly browned.
- Remove from the pan.
- Dry roast laung, dalchini, elachi, javitri, marathi moggu and kalimirch till slightly aromatic.
- Remove from the pan.
- Dry roast poppy seeds till slightly browned.
- Remove from the pan.
- Dry roast coconut till slightly browned.
- Remove from the pan.
- Add all the ingredients in a blender and make a fine powder.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 months.
