Ven Pongal/ Khara Pongal

VEN PONGAL/ KHARA PONGAL

Pongal is a traditional South Indian food prepared with rice & moong dal, either to a sweet or savoury dish. Ven or Khara Pongal is the name given to the savoury version.

It is often served as breakfast along with chutneys and sambar. However, it is great to be enjoyed at lunch/ dinner time too.

Course:  Breakfast
cuisine: South Indian / Tamil
Preparation Time:  5min
Cooking Time: 20min
Author:  Saranya Prabhu

Ingredients:

For pressure cooking:

• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 1/2 cup rice rinsed
• 1/2 cup moong dal rinsed
• 4 cup of water

For tempering:

• 2 tablespoon ghee
• 1 teaspoon jeera/ cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper crushed
• 1-inch ginger finely chopped
• 2 chilli slit
• 10 cashew nuts
• Pinch hing
• 8- 10 curry leaves

How to make:

Roasting moong dal:

1. Heat 1 teaspoon ghee in a pressure cooker/ kadai.
2. Add 1/2 cup each of rice and moong dal, saute on a low flame for a 2-3 minute or until it turns aromatic.
3. Remove them in another bowl & rinse for 2-3 times with water.

Cooking Pongal:

1. Drain well and then add in a pressure cooker.  Further, add 4 cups of water and salt. Mix well.
2. Cover and pressure cook for 5 whistles on medium flame.
3. Once the pressure settles down.  Open and give a good mix.

Tempering:

1. In a pan heat 2 tablespoon ghee.
2. Add all the ingredients mention under tempering.
3. Saute on low flame until cashew turns golden brown.
4. Pour the tempering over cooked rice and dal mixture.
5. Give a good mix, add more ghee if required.
6. Serve Khara Pongal with coconut chutney and sambar.