Bisibelabath

2 cups Rice
1 cup Toor Dal
1 large Onion chopped finely
A handful of pearl onions, if available
1 cup Mixed Vegetables (beans, carrots, potatoes, beetroot(can be added), radish)
2 tsp Tamarind Paste


Masala (or use MTR Bisibelabath Powder):
1/2 cup grated Coconut (can be substituted with the powder)
2 tsp Sambar Powder
3 tbsp Coriander Seeds
1" Cinnamon
3-4 Cloves
2-3 Cardamom
1 tsp Khus Khus (if available)
1/4 tsp Asafoetida
4-5 Red Chillies


Tadka:
4-5 Tbsp Oil (Ghee makes it tastier but unhealthier)
3-4 Red Chillies
Small piece of cinnamon, a few cloves and peppercorns
2 tsp Mustard Seeds
Some Curry leaves
1 tsp Turmeric
1/4 tsp Asafoetida

Method:
In a little bit of heated oil, fry the masala ingredients, except for the coconut and the sambar powder. Grind all of the masala ingredients to a paste with a little water. Keep aside.

Cook the rice and dal in a pressure cooker, with a lot of extra water (i.e for one cup rice use upto 3 cups of water). Take another kadai(big enough to hold everything) and add oil/ ghee. Add all the tadka ingredients. Fry the onions and once it is light brown add the mixed vegetables and fry for a few seconds.

Add tamarind paste mixed in about two cups of water and allow it to boil until the vegetables are half cooked. Now put in ground masala, salt to taste and add the cooked rice and daal.

An alternative is to use the MTR bisibela powder instead of the freshly ground paste.