Bisibelle Oats

In recent years, oats have slowly but surely established their presence in Indian kitchens. Packed with protein and fiber and low on fat, oats are at the top of the list of healthy foods. Oats contribute to a healthier heart and also help regulate blood sugar.

Oats are largely looked upon as a breakfast item. When mixed with fruit, nuts and low-fat milk or yoghurt, they provide a filling and nutritious start to the day. But, they are too versatile to be restricted to breakfast time and tastte as good in their savoury avatar as they do in the sweet form.

In this delicious recipe from the south of India, oats replace rice to up the nutrient quotient of the dish. With all the flavours of the original recipe maintained, you can enjoy this delicious bowl of to your heart’s content, guilt-free.

 

Bisibelle Oats

Ingredients

1 cup oats

½ cup tuvar dal

1 cup mixed vegetables, chopped (carrots, green peas, french beans)

1 small tomato, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoon, tamarind pulp

2 teaspoon bisibelle masala / sambhar powder

Salt, to taste

½ teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon red chilli powder

2 teaspoons ghee

½ teaspoon rai (mustard seeds)

½ teaspoon urad dal

5-6 curry leaves

1/8 teaspoon hing

 

Method

1. Dry roast the oats and keep aside.
2. Cook the dal and the vegetables in a pressure cooker for 2-3 whistles and keep aside.
3. Heat the ghee in a non-stick pan and add mustard seeds. Once they start spluttering, add the urad dal and saute till the dal turns golden brown. Then, add hing and curry leaves and saute for a few seconds.
4. Add onion and garlic and saute till the onion turns transluscent. Add tomatoes and saute till they soften. Add the red chilli powder and saute for a few seconds, stirring continuously.
5. Add the dal and vegetable mixture, oats, turmeric powder, bisibelle masala, tamarind juice and salt and mix well.
6. Next, add water a little at a time till the oats are cooked. The bisibelle oats should have a khichdi-like consistency.
7. Serve hot with low-fat curds.

 

Bon Appetit!

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