VEN PONGAL -TYPICAL TAMILNADUS BREAKFAST DISH

VEN PONGAL /or Pulagam/(a sort of Kichidi)  in A.P is best break fast item in southern part of India especially in Tamil Nadu state.it is easy and simple dish.but it may not be good to have this as Lunch Box Item.you can prepare with minimum ingredients which are easily available in store or in house.

 

Prep time - under 10 mins
Cook time -under 20 mins
Serves - 4

Ingredients needed

Raw rice - 1 cup

Water   :    4 cups
Split yellow moong dal (Pesara papu/pasi paruppu) -1/4 cup
Cashew nuts -6-7
Salt needed

Black Pepper  2 tsps

For the seasoning
Ginger finely chopped - 1 tsp
Cumin/ Jeera seeds - 1 tsp
Whole black pepper - 1 tsp
Ghee - 1 1/2 tbsp
Oil - 1 1/2 tbsp tbsp
Curry leaves - few

Preparation

Fry moong dal and rice separately until it is hot to touch. Do not over fry it.

Fry cashew nuts in a tsp of ghee and keep it aside.

Method 

Mix both rice and dal, pressure cook adding salt, 2 1/2 - 3 cups of water for 4-5 whistles.if it is  old rice,  add 3 cups of water). The rice has to be cooked in such a way that it should be mushy.

Open the cooker once the pressure subsides and mash the contents well.(You can cook rice directly in the cooker also )

For Seasoning/Tadka/Popu/Thalimpu

Heat oil + ghee, add finely chopped ginger, saute for 2-3 seconds, then add pepper, jeera seeds, curry leaves and pour it over the rice + dal mix. Add fried cashew nuts and mix everything well. Alternatively you can add rice+dal mix to the seasoning as mix well in low flame for 2 minutes. Switch off and serve hot with sambar or with coconut coconut chutney. 

Note : Please Serve Hot else,you will not enjoy real taste,to make attractive to kids,you may add Brean peas,Carrot etc (not included in original Dish)