Chow chow bath South Indian breakfast (Menu 17)

Chow chow bath / bhath is a famous south Indian breakfast menu from Karnataka. It is a combo in a plate with khara bath and kesari bath.

Last week when I was browsing Instagram, I saw this picture of chow chow bath. Being a upma lover, I obviously got attracted by this one, but the name chow chow bath was new to me.

In fact, after seeing it, I searched for the term chow chow bath in instagram to see more pictures of it.

I saw everything served in pair with kesari. But I wasn’t aware that if this rava kichadi and kesari served together is called chow chow bath.

I thought it must be rava kichadi made with “chow chow” vegetable (Chayote).

About

I searched for chow chow bath recipe to try as I just then got two organic chow chow (chayote).

Then only realised its only karnataka style rava kichadi (khara bath) and kesari (kesari bath) served together is called so.

We call it kichadi if the rava is cooked with vegetables, tomato and lots of ghee/ oil with more water.

And upma if the water ratio is less and simple without any vegetables or tomato. Khara bath is kichadi plus more extra masala powders and ingredients.

I realized only after a reader pointed it out as I have not tasted khara bath before.

Difference

So this khara bath definitely has to be done with loads of ghee (authentically) or oil and with rava and water ratio 1 : 4 respectively.

Same applies for kesari bath. It should be made with lots of ghee and water ratio more to get that soft texture. If you compromise in the ghee content, you will never get the same soft texture.

After finishing clicking, when I tasted this, it was really amazing to eat this savory khara bath and sweet kesari bath side by side.

And with coconut chutney, its just out of the world.

I honestly never expected serving together could make such huge difference to both these dishes. Happy that I tried.

Serving size

I make kesari bath with only ¼ cup which will be enough for Vj to have twice and kichdi with ½ cup rava, enough for both of our breakfast.

So do try this combo when ever you find a chance and make your breakfast special.

Check out the recipes below and remember the water, ghee/ oil ratio mentioned above.

Recipe links

1. Khara bath recipe
2. Rava kesari recipe (kesari bhath)
3. Coconut chutney recicpe

Check out my other kesari recipes

1. Paal Kesari(Kesari using milk)
2. Semiya Kesari
3. Fruit Kesari

To prepare for this breakfast menu, Please refer recipe links above.

1. Grate coconut firstly, chop onion, tomato and vegetables for khara bath and keep all the other ingredients like green chilli, curry leaves, rava etc. ready. Also the ingredients needed for kesari – rava, raisin, ghee, etc ready.
2. Grind coconut chutney. When you switch on the stove, first finish tempering for chutney, then make khara bhath. While its getting cooked, side by side make kesari bhath.

Serve hot with coconut chutney in a plate together khara bath and kesari bath.