Ven Pongal

Tamilian welcomed the auspicious month "Thai" (pronounced "Thy" not like Thai"land) this Sunday. Many celebrations are held this month: Pongal - the harvest festival is celebrated on Jan 15, next will be Thai Velli (Fridays), all the four Fridays (Jan: 20-27& Feb 3-10) the Goddess Maa Sakthi is worshiped for Success in Life.
Thai Amavasai (Jan- 23- 2012): On new moon day, people express their gratitude to their ancestors.
Thaipusam (Feb- 7- 2012): Lord subramanya/Murugan is worshiped on full moon day.

Tamilian have an hand full to kick start with lots of special food. Imagine if you have a resolution to shred few pounds this month and you are the one who don't cease to follow all these days with sweets.
For the harvest festival, a sweet version of Pongal is prepared in every home with a new crop of rice and a milk version (rice+milk :paal pongal) but not usually this Ven Pongal!

Ven (refers to white color) Pongal is the second most popular breakfast item after idli/sambar in Tamil Nadu. Regardless of age, this rice and dhal mixture suit everyone's palette. The mixture is slightly overcooked and seasoned with a liberal amount of ghee. A big laddle of pongal accompanied with coconut chutney is my favorite tiffin item. I have seen many people fishing out the black pepper and throw away. If you belong to this group, next time, try to eat with rice. When the pepper is popped under your teeth, the spice gives an extra bold flavor for this salty version. That will even help clear if you have a cold or stuffy nose :) Ven pongal with medu vadas and  sambar 






Ingredients:
 Raw rice 1 cup
 Split Moong dhal 1/3 cup
 Milk 1/2 cup
 Salt as per your taste

Seasoning:
 Ghee  2 to 3 tbsp (the more it is best)
 Cashew 1/4 cup -broken into pieces
 Cumin 1. 1/2 tsps
 Whole black pepper 1. 1/2 tsps
 Ginger 2 tsp
 Curry leaves few leaves

Method:

Rinse well rice+ moong dhal together. Add 4 cups of water, keep in pressure cooker and leave 4 to 5 whistles.
Heat the ghee, roast the cashew first, followed by cumin, pepper and ginger, keep just 1 or 2 minutes- finally add the curry leaves and stop the heat.
Warm milk in a microwave cup. First in 1/4 cup of milk, mix the salt and pour in cooked rice /dhal mixture. Taste it, if the pongal required more salt adjust and pour the rest of milk in rice.
Now add the seasoning and mix well, serve hot with chutney or sambar.

Comments

I love this dish. used to enjoy this at a local eatery in Bangalore with melted ghee sprikled on top. also love the variety they serve as prasad in the temples. the flavour of the black pepper definitely makes it special.
Finla said…
Beautiful pic and delicious too and i am in love with tha tcute pot.
ruchikacooks said…
Pongalo Pongal :)
Looks great, would lov to have it with some sambar,chutney and vadai..
Manasi said…
I love how comforting Ven Pongal is, comfort and nourish.. awesome combo!
Oh, i love the sweet version too.. a lot ;)
Gorgeous picture. Is that a terracotta pot?
Cham said…
Manasi: Yes a Glazed terracotta got in Mexican store.
Aarthi said…
yummy Pongal

Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com
Yummy pongal !!!The pot looks very cute...
Priya Suresh said…
Cute looking pot, i can have this ven pongal even daily..yummy..
Chitra said…
Lovely presentation.. I dont add milk . will try sometime.. delicious , mouthwatering pongal :)
Pavani said…
delicious ven pongal and the way u presented making me very hungry n mouthwatering..
Unknown said…
Looks yum...pongal and sambar unbeatable combination...beautiful pot
Deepthi Shankar said…
Such a cute looking pot ..this is my all time favorite
CurryLeaf said…
Yum, it looks AWESOME and truly mouthwatering. :P
Hope you had a happy pongal!
Uma said…
mmm. tempting pongal. Love the pot too :)
Vikis Kitchen said…
Ven pongal and that medhu vadai is a treat to my eyes. Love it always!
Raks said…
The ever green favorite breakfast! You have made it so perfect! Lovely pot and snap...
BongMom said…
The Ven Pongal looks good no doubt but what I cannot take my eye off is the the serving pot. Where did you get it ? India ?
Cham said…
Sandeepa:I got in US/CA in Mexican store with a spicy dip mix :)
Vikis Kitchen said…
I am glad to present you some awards, please get them at your leisure time dear.
Cham, made this tonight for dinner and we all are loving it with some chutney and Papad. thanks for the recipe.
lubnakarim06 said…
Awesome header....recipe makes me hungry....
DV said…
The ponga paanai looks beautiful! :) and so is the deliciousness inside !
Suganya said…
My all time fav. Very neat presentation. Loved that clay pot. YUM!!!
Hamaree Rasoi said…
Delicious and inviting pongal.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
notyet100 said…
That pot is so cute,..:)