Ven Pongal

Ven pongal is ritually cooked along with the Sakkarai pongal on the Pongal festival. Ven pongal means white pongal. It is an very famous breakfast dish in Tamil Nadu. Ven Pongal which can be prepared in few minutes is highly nutritious. It is served along with the coconut chutney and sambar. This festival enjoy the goodness of  both the pongals.

Ingredients: 3cups rice
                  1cup moong dal
                  1/4cup cashew
                  1/4cup grated dry coconut
                  1/2cup ghee
                  3tbsp grated ginger
                  2tbsp pepper corns
                  1tbsp cumin seeds
                  3tbsp curry leaves
                  1tsp asafoetida
                  salt to taste

Method:1)roast moong dal in 1tbsp ghee till slightly red and keep aside.
             2)pressure cook rice and moong dal in a cooker for 3whistels(water ratio 1:4).
             3)after it gets cooled, smash the rice and moong dal mixture.
             4)for seasoning heat ghee in a pan, add cashew nuts, cumin seeds, pepper corn, curry leaves,
                ginger, asafoetida and fry for 2mins.
             5)add the seasoning to the cooked rice and moong dal mixture, along with it add coconut, salt,
                water if required and cook for 5-10mins.
             6)serve hot.