Ven Pongal

Ven pongal is spicy pongal (sakkarai pongal is the sweet dish). This is very famous in south India. Specially in T.N. In the month of January there is pongal festival which is celebrated with great pomp and joy. Ven pongal is usually served at breakfast along with thick coconut chutney and sambar. I simply love this as its very nutritious (it contains rice, moong dal). Here goes the recipe...

Ingredients:
Rice - 3 cups
moong dal - 1 cup
water - 8 cups
salt for taste

For the seasoning:
Ghee - 4 tbsp
Black peppercorns - 3 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp
Cashew nuts - 6 nos
Curry leaves - 1 stalk

Method:
Cook the dal and rice together along with salt for taste and water in a pressure cooker up to 1 or 2 whistles or till its done. In a tadka pan, heat ghee and splutter black peppercorns, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and cashew nuts . when the cashew nuts turn very light brown, turn off the flame and do the seasoning on the cooked rice and dal. Mix well, garnish with cashew nuts (optional). Serve hot along with coconut chutney and sambar.

Note:
Do not mix before seasoning as the pongal would become sticky and the seasoning will be concentrated in one area.