Quick and Easy Khara Pongal

Pongal is a traditional recipe made in South India for the Sankranthi festival. Pongal is usually made with ghee, you can use ghee instead of oil. Ghee does gives a better taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Rice
• 1 and 1/2 cups hesaru bele or moong dal
• 6-7 curry leaves
• Whole and ground black pepper
• 1 tsp Jeera – Cumin
• 1 tsp Mustard seeds
• 6-7 cashew nuts chopped
• pinch of hing
• 4 tsp Oil
• 3 green chillies

Method:

In the pressure cooker, add oil. When it becomes hot, add the mustard seeds, jeera, curry leaves, green chillies, cashew nuts, haldi, black pepper and fry for a few minutes. Next, add the moong dal and fry. Next, add the rice and fry until the rice changes color.

Finally, add 5 cups of water , and also salt to taste. Close the pressure cooker, and allow for 3 whistles. Pongal is done. Enjoy with gojju.

You can find the recipe for Sweet Pongal and Gojju here:

1. Sweet Pongal
2. Gojju