Ven Pongal

Ven pongal is a tasty breakfast item, which are good for kids.Its a south Indian dish,mainly made for pongal.You may have in your mind what is pongal?.
Pongal is the festival celebrated by tamizh(Tamil Nadu,India), its a four day celebration.Its the first day of tamil month Thai, so called thai pongal or commonly pongal.Thai pongal is dedicated to the sun god, so the worship is done outside, sun god is offered milk and jaggery.Pongal is made in new clay pots outside in fields .The day preceeding pongal is called bhogi pandigai or called bhogi, on this day people clean their houses and discard unwanted items.Lord Indra is worshiped this day for bringing rain for harvesting.The day after pongal is mattu pongal its dedicated to cattles and bulls,cattles and bulls are washed,painted and offered prayers for giving milk and helping in farming.The fourth day of pongal is kannu pongal.This day is for thanking relatives and friends for helping harvesting.

Basic Information:

Preparation time:15-20min
Cook time:15-20min
Serves:2-3 people

Ingredients:

Rice 1cup
Split moong dal 1/2cup
Salt as desired
Water

For seasoning:

Pepper corns 1/2tsp
Cumin 1tsp
Green chillies 1nos
Ginger 1tsp
Red chillies 1nos
Cashew nut 2tbsp
Curry leaves 3nos
Oil/ghee 2tsp

Method:

1.Lightly roast moong dal till light brown.
2.In a presser cooker cook rice and moong dal together with enough water (3-4 cups based on rice) and salt.
3.In a pan heat oil/ghee roast cashews and set aside.
4.Add the remaining seasoning to the oil and cook for another minute.
5.Add the pressure cooked rice and moong dal along with roasted cashews to this and mix well.
6.Serve hot.