How to Cook Pongal

Pongal is a South Indian dish. There are two varieties, one sweet and the other spicy. There is a Pongal festival also called Pongal, named after this dish, that is served at the festival. Here is a recipe for an easy and quick dish that tastes delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (237 gm) rice
• 1/4 cup (60 gm) moong dal, traditionally prepared mung beans
• Sugar to taste
• Cashews for garnishing (5 - 10)
• 2 tbsp margarine or ghee
• 6 cups (1.4 l) water

Steps

1. 
   1
   Assemble the ingredients.
2. 
   2
   Wash rice and dal together and drain well.
3. 
   3
   In the rice cooker, heat 1 tbsp of ghee.
4. 
   4
   Add rice, dal and fry until the ghee coats the mixture.
5. 
   5
   Add the rest of ingredients, except for the cashews.
6. 
   6
   Add water cover and cook.
7. 
   7
   Keep testing the water level and stir frequently, as it has a tendency to stick to the bottom.
8. 
   8
   Mash rice and dal mixture once cooked.
9. 
   9
   Garnish fully mashed rice and dal mixture with cashews.