OATS BISI BELE BATH | SAVORY OATS PORRIDGE | INDIAN OATS RECIPES

Oats is a healthy and versatile breakfast option as it can be used in various preparations and can also be used easily in several south Indian dishes. My blog already has various posts that highlights various savory options with oats like Savory Oats porridge(with curds), Oats kharabath,Oats pongal . Oats can also be used to prepare instant idly,dosa,paniyaram varieties which I intend to post later.This post is based on an interesting method of using Oats in a very well known south Indian dish called Bisi bele bath, which I aptly call as the Oats Bise bele bath. Remember to serve it hot , otherwise Oats tends to get a bit sticky when it becomes cold. I am sure you will enjoy this healthy preparation.

Oats Bisi Bele Bath Recipe:
(serves 2)

Ingredients:
1 cup quick cooking Oats
1/4 cup Toor dal
1 cup of finely chopped Vegetables(1 small Carrot,5-6 french Beans,1 small Capsicum)
1/4 frozen green Peas
1 Tomato,finely chopped
1 medium Onion,finely chopped
2 tsp Bisi Bele Bath masala(home made or ready MTR masala)
2 tsp Tamarind pulp
1/2 tsp grated Jaggery
1/2 tsp Red chili powder
a pinch of Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
a sprig of Curry leaves
a pinch of Hing
Salt to taste
1 tsp Oil
1 tsp Ghee(while serving)

Method:

• Pressure cook toor dal and finely chopped vegetables(carrot,french beans,capsicum) and peas in separate containers in the cooker for 3 whistles.
• Meanwhile dry roast oats and keep it aside.This is very important to dry roast oats when you make porridge which helps in making slightly non-sticky porridge,otherwise oats tend to get sticky faster.
• In a big kadai heat oil and crackle mustard seeds and add curry leaves and fry well.
• Add hing and finely chopped onions and fry until translucent.Add finely tomatoes and fry until they are mushy.
• Add water(3 cups) to it and let it come to a boil and add oats and give a quick stir.Add cooked toor dal and vegetables to it and mix well and mash it slightly using the back of the spoon which helps in amalgamating with each other to give a thick porridge consistency.
• Add salt,bisi bele bath masala,red chili powder,turmeric powder and tamarind pulp and boil it fro 3-4 mins.Adjust the consistency of bisi bele bath by adding more water if required.

Serve it piping hot with a dollop of ghee and khara boondi/chips or cool raitha.
Notes:

1. I kept the vegetables simple,you can even add potatoes,fresh double bean pods to it.
2. You can even give a tadka of fried cashew nuts or fried ground nuts.I did not add as I wanted to make it more healthier.
3. Eat this immediately and do not keep it for long as it turns slightly sticky.
4. You can replace Bisi bele bath masala powder with Sambar powder,but you will find a difference in taste.
5. For a Vegan version avoid ghee in the recipe.