What it is
Bisi bele bath masala is like a richer, more aromatic cousin of sambar powder, made for a fuller dish. Like sambar powder it includes roasted chana and urad dal for body, but it carries more warm spices and dry coconut, which is what gives bisi bele bath its deep, comforting flavour.
Bisi bele bath means "hot lentil rice", a one-pot of rice, toor dal, vegetables and tamarind, and this blend is its soul.
The blend
Makes a medium jar. The roasted dals and coconut give body; cinnamon, clove and stone flower give the warmth that sets it apart from sambar powder.
- Coriander seeds · the bulk3 tbsp
- Chana dal2 tbsp
- Urad dal1 tbsp
- Dry coconut2 tbsp
- Dried chilli6
- Cinnamon, cloves2 inch + 1 tsp
- Black peppercorns1 tsp
- Fenugreek seeds · sparingly1/2 tsp
- Marathi moggu or stone floweroptional
- Curry leavesa sprig
The extra warm spices (cinnamon, clove) and coconut are what make this richer than sambar powder. Go easy on the fenugreek, or the blend turns bitter.
How to make it
1 · Dry-roast in stages
Roast the coriander, dals, coconut, chilli, fenugreek and whole spices over low heat until the dals are golden and everything is fragrant. Crisp the curry leaves.
2 · Cool completely
Let it all cool so it grinds dry and keeps.
3 · Grind fine
Grind to a fine powder, sieving and re-grinding any coarse dal.
4 · Store airtight
Keep dry and airtight; it stays fragrant for a month or two.
Stir 2 to 3 tablespoons into the pot of rice, toor dal, vegetables and tamarind as the bisi bele bath simmers, so the blend blooms and enriches it.
Why these spices
Like sambar powder, the roasted dals add nutty depth and a little body, but the extra warm spices and coconut make this blend richer, matching the fuller, one-pot dish it seasons. Roasting develops all those aromas through the Maillard reaction, and marathi moggu (a dried flower bud) adds a distinctive Karnataka note. Freshly made, it is far more fragrant than a jarred mix.
The honest note
One of the more wholesome blends, since the roasted dals bring a little plant protein and fibre, with only a small amount of fat from the coconut. Nothing to caveat beyond freshness, a homemade batch is noticeably better than shop-bought bisi bele bath powder.