South Indian home-style pongal is a savory rice and lentil(moong dal) dish, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a comfort food. Here’s a simple recipe:
Savor the comforting flavors of South Indian home-style Pongal—a wholesome dish of rice and lentils, seasoned with spices like cumin, pepper, and ginger.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rice
- 1/4 cup split yellow moong dal (lentils)
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
- A few curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup cashews or peanuts (optional)
- Freshly grated coconut for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice and moong dal together under running water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
- In a pressure cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds and black peppercorns. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add chopped ginger, green chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté for another minute.
- Add the drained rice and dal to the pot. Stir well to coat them with the spices.
- Pour in the water and add salt to taste. Stir to combine.
- If using cashews or peanuts, you can roast them separately in a little ghee until golden brown and add them to the pot at this stage.
- Close the pressure cooker lid or cover the pot and cook until the rice and dal are soft and mushy. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 3-4 whistles.
- Once done, open the pressure cooker carefully and give the pongal a good stir. If it’s too thick, you can add a little hot water to adjust the consistency.
- Serve the pongal hot, garnished with freshly grated coconut if desired.
Enjoy your South Indian home-style pongal for a hearty breakfast or comforting meal!