Bisibela Bath aka Vegetable Khichdi - Comforting Protein and Fiber Rich Simple One Pot Wonder --- And more awards!!!

I like the idea of fitting these one pot meals into my food regime not just because of the energy savings, but the simplicity and nutrition involved in cooking them. Usually the one pot meals that come to me are, Vegetable Khichidi, Pongal, Bisibilla bath( Bisibeda) , Pulao/ Biriyani, Lentil Soup using my pressure pan/cooker and these will be done in less than half an hour from start to finish . My idea of having a one pot dish, includes not mere using anything on hand, but incorporating protein and fiber rich ingredients like lentils, pulses, rice , fresh vegetables and never forget the aromatic herbs and spices.

This rice and vegetable medley reminds me of Kadamba Sadam that is served as offering to god during Srirama Navami at a temple near my grandmas place and then distribute as prasad to everyone else.. When i say prasadam, its not just a little but that portion would be so huge, it would be atleast sufficent for 2 meals. Coming to my Bisibelabath , i use any sambar powder/ guthi vanakaya karam on hand along with some fresh/dry coconut and jazz it up with spices like Cloves and Cinnamon.. Using Edamame in a familiar dish like this is an easy way to incorporate soy protein into your diet - You get around 3 gms of soy protein and the protein from lentils would even double the score. This Khichidi comes to my rescue when i am crunching on time and i must admit its my favorite complete comforting meal..

You need:

2/3 cups rice1/3 cup toor dal1/2 cup of chopped Sorakai / Bottle gourd1 large / 2 small vine ripe Tomatoes1/2 large red potato1/3 - 1/2 cup Soybeans / Edamame( can replace with green peas )1 carrot10-15 green beans5 green chilliessmall lime sized tamarind , soaked in hot water2-3 tbsp any sambar powder / guthi vankaya karam( ill post the recipe soon after asking mom )1 tbsp dry / fresh coconut scraped

For tempuring/tadka:

4 cloves1 cinnamon stick1 tsp cumin seeds1 tsp coriander seeds

How to:

Prep vegetables first -- Peel Sorakaya/bottle gourd and chop into 2 inch long thin pieces, tomato into diced cubes, Potato into 1 inch squares, green beans into 1 inch long, Carrot 1/2 inch cubes or thin discs, green chillies lengthwise and onions length wise

Clean both dal/lentils and rice together and keep it aside with water

In a pressure pan, add 3 tbsp oil do the tadka along with cloves and cinnamon stick, once the mustard seeds start to splutter add turmeric, curry leaves, onions and green chillies. Saute for a min and then add tomatoes and saute for 2 more min, now add the masala powder and then the veggies in order, sorakaya, carrots , beans, soybeans/green peas and then saute for few more min

Drain off the water from the soaked dal and rice, add it the vegetable and spice mixture and let the masala coat everything

Fill the pressure pan/cooker with 3 - 4 cups water and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Once the pressure comes out, check for doneness and add tamarind pulp, salt and little bit of sugar to enhance the taste..,simmer for 3-5 min and let everything come together...

Add chopped cilantro and a big dollop of ghee just before serving... Voila, a simple fulfilling meal is ready to relish!!!

Note:

There are no hard and fast rules as to use only the vegetables specified here, you can add whatever you like( no mushroom please ). Sometimes for extra Vitamin A, i would add some spinach tooo.

Alternatively, if you have a compartment pressure cooker, you can add rice and dal together in one container and all vegetables except onions and tomatoes in another container. Once pressure cooked, Do the tadka in a Kadai / large sauce pan, fry onions and then add tomatoes, once cooked add the tamarind pulp, masala powders and let it simmer for 2 min, then add the cooked vegetables cook for 5 more mins and add the cooked rice and dal mixture.. You can add more water to get your required consistency... Garnish with cilantro and a dollop of ghee/butter.. This is how my mom usually makes..,but i do look out for shortcuts and sometimes, i miserably fail too,. but this one is to keep though!!

MORE AWARDS: I have been showered with some more awards by my dear friends and i feel so proud and elated.. thanks guys.. you make my day!!!

Thanks a bunch Sripriya of Srikars kitchen for this wonderful award....

Thanks Illatharasi for showering me with this YUM YUM Blog Award..

Thanks Illatharasi, again for considering my blog as YUMMY. Thanks dear for both the awards.

I would like to pass on these awards to every fellow blogger who always inspire me with their expertise...

EVENTS : Now coming to the end, my simple spicy vegetable rice and lentil medley is on its way to:
One dish meals hosted by ArchanaRCI -Andhra Festival food hosted by VaniEat Healthy -Protein Rich hosted by SangeethVow - Sorakaya / Bottle gourd by Pooja