Millet Bisi Bele Bath

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Foxtail Millet
• 1.5 tbsp Ghee
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 8-10 Curry Leaves
• 2 whole Red Chillies
• 1/4 tsp Hing
• 1 onion (cut into petals)
• 1 small Capsicum (diced)
• 1/2 cup diced Carrots
• 1/2 cup diced French Beans
• 2 Green Brinjals (cut into 1.5-inch-long strips)
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder
• 3 tbsp Bisi Bele Bath Masala
• 3/4 cup cooked Tur Dal
• 1 Tomato (cut into large pieces)
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 3.5 cups Water
• 1/2 cup Tamarind Water (3-4 large tamarind pieces soaked in 1/2 cup water and then smashed well till pulpy - seeds removed)
• Extra ghee for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak foxtail millets: Wash the foxtail millet a few times with water (you may need a small sieve to catch any straw beads) and soak it in enough water to cover it for at least 2 hours.

2. 2

   Prepare tempering: Heat ghee in a kadhai and add mustard seeds. Once they start spluttering, add curry leaves, red chillies, and hing. Saute for 10-15 seconds.

3. 3

   Saute onions and capsicum: Add onions and capsicum. Saute and cook this for 2-3 minutes.

4. 4

   add vegetables and masala powders: Then add carrots, beans, turmeric powder, chilli powder, and salt. Saute this for 2-3 minutes.

5. 5

   add vegetables, foxtail millet and bisi bele bath masala: Add tomatoes, brinjal, drained foxtail millet, bisi bele bath powder, and saute again until mixed well.

6. 6

   add water and cooked toor dal: Add water and cooked tur dal. Mix well, cover and cook for 35-40 minutes, till the millet is tender. The bath would have thickened considerably and will have a khichdi or porridge-like consistency.

7. 7

   Add tamarind water and mix well. You can also add more curry leaves if you like. Simmer for another 2 minutes.

8. 8

   Serve hot, topped with more ghee and khara boondi (savoury boondi).