Khara Pongal (Ven Pongal)

Khara Pongal (Ven Pongal)

Pongal is a very popular dish prepared with rice and moong dal. It’s very nutritious as it is protein packed. It’s considered to be a very good breakfast choice as it’s light and easily digestible. It tastes best when it is served hot with melted ghee.
Here is a very easy and quick way to prepare it.

What you need:

• 1 tsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
• 3 curry leaves
• 5  Cashew nuts
• 2 green chillies (slit)
• 1 inch ginger (chopped) 
• 1/2 cup moong dal
• 1/2 cup rice
• 1/2 cup coconut (optional)
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 tsp pepper (crushed)
• Salt to taste

Recipe:

1. Heat ghee in a pressure pan. Add cumin, curry leaves, cashews, green chillies, crushed pepper and ginger. Sauté for a minute. 
2.  Add the moong dal and fry on low fire till it gets aromatic. Add the rice and water. Add salt to taste. Close the cooker and cook for 5 whistles. Serve hot with melted ghee or sambhar.