Broken Wheat Bisi Bele Bhat

One of South India's most loved dishes in its healthiest form!! Bisi Bele Bhat (BBB for ease)is usually made with rice and lentils, mostly Toor Dal, vegetables and spices. BBB can also be made with thick beaten rice flakes and Moong Dal- this one is reserved for the no-rice day, Ekadashi. Of late, my mother and sister both have been making the BBB with broken wheat and moong dal and it tastes just great. Replacing rice with broken wheat makes it a low GI meal making this delicious dish your dietitian's delight. You can whip up this dish in a hurry on a weekday morning taking the 'shortcut' method,using your sambhar powder or ready-made Bisi Bele Bhat powder. Or opt to make the masala from scratch on the day you make the dish or a day before.

There are of course a number of variations to making the BBB. North Karnataka Folks generally make this masala powder and store it like rasam or sambar powder.  Folks in Bangalore and around the area specially  make this powder fresh on the day the dish is made. Try serving a 'ready masala mix / Sambar powder' BBB to a hard core Bangalorean and see the reaction:-))

Psst.. a secret.. though I can spend hours baking or making desserts, snacks etc, I don't really love to spend time making rasam or sambar powders. Yeah, Mom and Mom-in-law are my lifelines for these quintessential masalas. I prefer to use home made sambar powder or MTR  Bisi Bele Bhat powder to make this scrumptious dish. Serve this spicy dish with potato chips or papad and raitha and there won't be anybody who will not over eat!!!

 My sister was here today and I could not resist asking her to make this for me. The quantities here can feed 4-5 adults. So do your Math if you are making this for a cozy two-some. Here this a real quick version of cooking broken wheat, moong dal and the veggies in the cooker together. You could cook you veggies separately in the microwave or cooker if you want them crunchy.


1.5 Cups (Regular measuring cup) good quality broken wheat
1.5 Cups Moong Dal
150 gms French Beans, stringed, washed and cut into 1" pieces.
150 gms Carrots, washed, peeled and cut into 1" pieces.
100 gms  green peas(You could use ground nuts as a variation)
1 Cup chopped onion(optional)
1 Cup grated Fresh coconut
2-3 ripe tomatoes, washed and roughly chopped
2 Table spoons MTR Bisi Bele Bhat powder.
1 Tablespoon Red Chilli Powder.
1 tablespoon thick tamarind pulp(adjust depending on sourness of tomatoes)
1 teaspoon Sugar
Salt to taste

For the tempering:
3 Table spoons Oil
1.5 teaspoons Mustard seeds
1.5 teaspoons Urad Dal
A generous pinch of Hing
A few Curry leaves
A few cashew nuts(optional)
A few Broken Dry chilies( I forgot to add mine!!)

Method: Wash the broken wheat and dal. Heat one teaspoon of oil directly in the pressure cooker, saute the onion. Add the broken wheat and dal with 9 cups of water. Add the cut veggies and a pinch of turmeric and cook for 3 whistles. Allow to cool. In the meantime, grind the coconut and the tomatoes to a smooth paste.

Once the cooker cools, add the powders, tamarind pulp, ground paste, sugar and salt. Add more water if needed to adjust the consistency. Let it simmer for at least 10 minutes. Yeah, you could fry the papad now:-)). Take off the fire.  Make the tempering and pour over the BBB and mix well. Serve hot and enjoy!!!

Please Note: The broken wheat if not of good quality may become sticky when cooked. More versions of the BBB coming up in my later posts!!