BISIBELE BATH POWDER

Yields: 5 tbsp

Ingredients

Dhaniya: 3 tbsp
Chana dal: 1 tbsp
Methi seeds/fenugreek seeds: ½ tsp
Guntur Chilli: 5 nos
Byadige chilli: 3 nos
Dalchini/cinnamon: ½ inch
Marathi moggu/kopak buds: 4 nos
Tej patta/bay leaf: 1 no.
Kalpasi/kalhuvvu: 2-3 no.
Hing powder: ½ tsp
Curry leaves: 10-12 nos

Preparation

1. Dry roast all ingredients separately, as each ingredient requires different temperature to get roasted.
2. Dry roast the coriander seeds, kalpasi and tejpatta slightly till a nice aroma of roasted coriander seeds arises.
3. Roast chana dal and methi seeds till it is light brown in color. Dalchini, marathi moggu and curry leaves can be roasted along with dal. After roasting add hing powder, while still hot.
4. Use a little cooking oil while roasting the red chillies, to avoid burnt smell. If roasted in microwave, oil is not required. 
5. Cool and grind into fine powder.
6. Grind ¼ cup of fresh coconut along with the bisibele bath powder and the paste is ready to prepare Bisibele bath.

Notes

• You can roast and grind dry coconut too along with the above ingredients. However, bisibele bath powder prepared with coconut does not store well, hence it is advisable to use it soon. Alternatively, if you plan to prepare the powder in advance and in larger quantities then you can grind fresh coconut with the powder and use it for preparing bisibele bath as and when required.
• You may skip Kalpasi/Marathi moggu/Dalchini/Tej patta if you do not like its flavour, which makes it a plain sambar powder.
• There are two types of chillies used in the powder. Guntur chillies add spice/heat whereas Byadige chillies add colour. Chillies can be used of your choice and taste.