Authentic South Indian dishes to cook at home this Pongal [2025]

New Delhi: Pongal is one of the most cherished harvest festivals in South India, celebrated with joy, gratitude, and delicious food. It is one of the most important occasions for any and every person belonging to various regions in South India, as people of the communities come together to pay gratitude and honour to the god for harvest season and also welcome new beginnings.

The festival spans four days: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal. Each day is marked by traditional dishes that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region. People welcome guests to their homes and also prepare delicious food items for their loved ones. Here is a guide with complete recipes to prepare traditional dishes at home and enjoy with love and pay tribute to god.

Ven Pongal

This classic dish is a must-have during Pongal celebrations.

Ingredients:

• Rice: 1 cup
• Moong dal: 1/4 cup
• Ghee: 2 tbsp
• Black peppercorns: 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
• Cashews: 10
• Curry leaves: A few
• Ginger (grated): 1 tsp

Preparation:

1. Dry roast rice and moong dal for a few minutes and rinse well.
2. Cook them together in a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water until soft.
3. Heat ghee, add peppercorns, cumin seeds, curry leaves, ginger, and cashews.
4. Mix the tempering into the cooked rice-dal mixture. Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.

Sakkarai Pongal

Ingredients:

• Raw rice: 1 cup
• Moong dal: 1/4 cup
• Jaggery: 1 1/2 cups
• Ghee: 3 tbsp
• Cardamom powder: 1 tsp
• Cashews and raisins: 2 tbsp each

Preparation:

1. Cook rice and moong dal together until soft.
2. Melt jaggery in water, strain, and add to the cooked rice-dal mixture.
3. Cook on low flame until the mixture thickens.
4. Fry cashews and raisins in ghee, and add them along with cardamom powder. Serve warm.

Aviyal

Ingredients:

• Mixed vegetables: 2 cups (carrots, beans, drumsticks, etc.)
• Grated coconut: 1/2 cup
• Green chilies: 2
• Yogurt: 1/2 cup
• Coconut oil: 2 tbsp
• Curry leaves: A few

Preparation:

1. Cook the vegetables with a little water and salt until tender.
2. Grind coconut and green chillies into a coarse paste.
3. Mix the paste with cooked vegetables and simmer for a few minutes.
4. Add yoghurt, drizzle with coconut oil, and garnish with curry leaves.

Payasam

Ingredients:

• Vermicelli or rice: 1/2 cup
• Milk: 4 cups
• Sugar or jaggery: 1 cup
• Cardamom powder: 1/2 tsp
• Ghee: 2 tbsp
• Cashews and raisins: 2 tbsp each

Preparation:

1. Roast vermicelli or rice in ghee until golden.
2. Add milk into it and boil well.
3. Add sugar or jaggery and stir until dissolved.
4. Garnish with fried cashews, raisins, and cardamom powder. Serve warm or chilled.

Murukku

Ingredients:

• Rice flour: 2 cupsUrad dal flour: 1/2 cup
• Sesame seeds: 1 tsp
• Butter: 2 tbsp

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients into a soft dough.
2. Shape into spirals using a murukku press and deep fry until golden.
3. Serve as a snack during the celebrations.

Pongal is a festival of togetherness and thanksgiving, it is a day to show respect and gratitude to the world and god who provides food and life on Earth. It is a grand celebration in South India, celebrated by everyone belonging to these communities. Enjoy your favourite festival with these delicious feasts to delight your taste buds.

 Celebrate the joy of harvest with these authentic South Indian recipes perfect for Pongal. Try these recipes to bring festive flavours and warmth to your celebrations.  Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips