Venn Pongal (Serves 2)

Dedicated to all my friends who love my pongal.

Ingredients :

·         Rice – 1 Cup

·         Masoor Daal (yellow) – ¾ Cup

·         Water – 6 cups

·         Ginger – a medium sized piece – sliced

·         Curry Leaves

·         Cumin Seeds – 2 teaspoons

·         Peppercorns – 1 teaspoon

·         Cashwenuts

·         Ghee

·         Salt

In a pressure cooker (in which you intend to cook this pongal) , fry masoor daal till it changes colour (Don’t use any oil). Add the rice and mix till rice becomes whiter. To this add salt and water and pressure cook for 6 whistles.

In a pan , heat the ghee. Add in this order – Cumin Seeds , Peppercorns (grind 2-3 peppercorns coarsely to get taste) . Once the peppercorns splutter , add ginger . Fry on high for a minute , add cashewnuts and switch off the flame. Add this to the pongal once you are able to open the pressure cooker and serve hot with Gotsu / Chutney / Pickle (recipes will follow)

Tips : Do not change the quantities. This is made best in a pressure cooker , but try doing it as you would cook rice if you please.