How to make Ven Pongal at home

Ramapriya Suresh whips up a traditional Pongal recipe.

Ven Pongal is a traditional breakfast recipe made from moong dal and rice, tempered with spices and nuts.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup yellow moong dal or husked split mung lentil
  • 1 cup rice
  • 3 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tsp peppercorns (whole pepper)
  • 1 tbsp peeled and crushed ginger
  • 1 tsp jeera
  • 8 to 10 cashews, split in half
  • 5 to 6 curry leaves
  • Salt as required
  • 5 cups water

Method

  • In a pan, dry roast the moong dal for a minute or so and keep aside.
  • Add one cup rice to the dal and wash this mixture well.
  • Pour the dal, rice and 5 cups water into a pressure cooker.
    Boil till the cooker gives off three whistles.
    Set aside.
    Open up cooker when mixture cools a little.
  • In a separate small pan heat the three tbsp ghee on not too high a flame.
    Add the peppercorns, jeera, curry leaves, ginger, and cashews.
    Fry for up to a minute.
    Be careful not to burn the cashews.
  • Add this tempering to the cooked rice and dal mixture. Mix well.
    Check for salt and consistency. It should have a porridge-like consistency.
    Add more water, if required.
  • Serve hot and, if you prefer, with sambar, medu vadas and coconut chutney.
  • RECIPES! RECIPES!

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