Thursday, January 14, 2010

Chakkarai Pongal



Dear Friends,
Wish you and your family a very Happy Pongal!

Chakkarai Pongal(Rice and mung dal cooked together and sweetened with jaggery) is every South Indian's favorite! I am sharing my family recipe with you all.

Serves 3
Ingredients:
Raw Rice-1/2 cup
Mung Dal-2 tbsp
Milk-1/2 cup
Jaggery-1 cup(crushed or grated)
Cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
Edible Camphor(optional)-a pinch
Ghee-2-3 tbsp
Cashews-10
Raisins-1 tbsp

Method:
Pressure cook rice and mung dal together with milk and 1.5 cups of water for 5-6 whistles. Set aside.
Add 1 cup of water to jaggery. Heat till it dissolves completely. Strain the syrup.
Add this syrup to the cooked rice. Turn on the heat and keep stirring till the mixture thickens(about 5 minutes on low flame).
Add cardamom and edible camphor. Mix well.
Roast cashews and raisins in ghee and pour on top.