New Delhi: With the new year here, there are a lot of things to look forward to. One of those things is the upcoming festival! In just a few days, people all over India will be celebrating the harvest festival. Every year in India, in the month of January, people celebrate the harvest festival in many regions of the nation. One of the harvest festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigour is Pongal. The festival of Pongal is celebrated in South India to thank the sun and Mother Nature for their contribution to a bountiful harvest.
The Pongal festivities are celebrated for four days. These days are known as Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Each day has its own significance. This year, Pongal will be observed from 14th January to 17th January 2025. The festive season calls for special dishes like Ven Pongal and Sweet Pongal to make the celebrations grander! Here’s how you can make Ven Pongal and Sweet Pongal at home!
How to make Ven Pongal?
Ven Pongal is a savoury dish made with rice and moong dal, flavoured with black pepper, cumin, ginger, and asafoetida. It’s typically garnished with ghee, cashews, and curry leaves and has a comforting, creamy texture.
Ingredients:
- Raw Rice: 1 cup
- Moong Dal: ½ cup
- Water: 4 cups
- Ghee: 3 tablespoons
- Ginger: 1 teaspoon, chopped
- Peppercorns: 1 teaspoon
- Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon
- Cashews: 10-15
- Curry Leaves: A few
- Asafoetida (Hing): A pinch
- Salt: To taste
Instructions:
- Start by washing your rice and moong dal thoroughly in multiple changes of water until the water runs clear.
- Combine rice, moong dal, water, and salt in a pressure cooker. Cook for 3-4 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.
- Heat ghee in a pan, add cashews and fry until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Add cumin seeds, peppercorns, and ginger to the pan. Once they splutter, add curry leaves and asafoetida (hing).
- Pour the tempering over the cooked rice and dal mixture. Mix well.
- Garnish with fried cashews and serve hot with sambar or coconut chutney!
How to make Sweet Pongal?
Sweet Pongal, or Sakkarai Pongal, is a rich, sweet rice dish made with rice, moong dal, and jaggery and flavoured with cardamom. It’s often garnished with ghee, cashews, and raisins, giving it a golden brown hue.
Ingredients:
- Raw Rice: 1 cup
- Moong Dal: ½ cup
- Water: 5 cups
- Milk: 1 cup
- Jaggery: 2 cups (adjust to taste)
- Ghee: 3 tablespoons
- Cashews: 10-15
- Cardamom pods: 5
- Raisins: 1 tablespoon
- Water for jaggery syrup: ½ cup
Instructions:
- You start by washing rice and moong dal thoroughly in multiple changes of water until the water runs clear.
- Pressure cook rice and moong dal with 5 cups of water for 3-4 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.
- In a separate pan, melt jaggery with ½ cup water. Simmer until it dissolves completely. Strain to remove any impurities.
- Add milk to the cooked rice and dal. Stir well.
- Gradually add the jaggery syrup to the rice-dal mixture, stirring continuously.
- Cook on low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Heat ghee in a pan. Add cashews and fry until golden brown. Add cardamom pods and raisins. Fry for a few seconds.
- Pour the tempering over the sweet pongal.
- Garnish with cashews and raisins. Serve hot or cold.
Make Ven Pongal and Sweet Pongal for the harvest festival this year and get ready to be attacked by compliments!
Celebrate Pongal 2025 with easy, step-by-step recipes for Ven Pongal and Sweet Pongal. Learn how to make these traditional dishes to perfect your festive spread. Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
