Bisibela Bhaath (Sambhar Rice)

Ingredients:

• Rice - 1 cup

• Toor Dal - 1/2 cup

• Veggies - Potatoes - 2, Drumstick - 1, Radish - 1, Carrot - 1, Peas - 1/4 cup (can use a combination of these veggies or one or two of them as preferred)

• Tamarind Paste - 1 tsp

• Onions - 2 medium finely sliced (or small onions - 10 - these are preferred)

• Cashews - 1 tbsp (optional)

• Oil/Ghee - 4 tbsp

• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

• Curry Leaves - 6

• Salt - to taste

**To make the sambhar powder: **

• Coriander seeds - 2 tsp

• Red Chillies - 7

• Feungreek seeds - 1/2 tsp

• Urad Dal - 1/2 tsp

• Gram Dal - 1 tsp

• Cinnamon stick - 1

• Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Method :

In a dry pan, fry the items to make sambhar powder and grind them to a coarse powder (Note: Don't grind it to a very fine powder)

Cook the rice and dal in a pressure cooker adding a pinch of salt. Cook the veggies in a separate pan and set aside. In a large pan, heat ghee/oil, splutter mustard seeds, add the onions and saute for a while. Then add the curry leaves. Then add the boiled veggies. Add tamarind paste and little water, salt and the ground sambhar powder. Let the mixture come to a boil. Then, add the? cooked rice and dal and mix well. Top this with coriander leaves for garnish and a little ghee.

Miscellaneous:

• Tips: It is best if the rice is slightly overcooked for this preparation. Serve with chips, or appalam/pappad. You can vary the preparation by making it plain without any veggies or just use 1 or 2 veggies.

• Serves 4-5

• Cooking Time: 20 min

• Cuisine: Indian