Sweet Pongal

Sweet pongal or chakkara pongal is a popular South-Indian sweet recipe prepared during Sankranthi festival and other auspicious occasions. It is offered as Naivedyam to God during puja.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup rice
• 1/2 cup moong dal
• 4(1/2) cups of water
• 1(1/2) cup jaggery, grated
• 1/2 cup fresh coconut, grated
• 4 to 6 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 2 tbsp cashew nuts, split or broken

METHOD:

1. In a pressure cooker add washed rice, moong dal and water (3 times the quantity of rice and dal) and cook in a medium flame for a good 3 whistles. Allow it to cool.
2. In another pan, pour 1/2 cup water to grated jaggery. On a low flame stir and melt it. Boil until its slightly thick and sticky. Keep this aside.
3. When the pressure from the cooker is down, remove the lid and mash the rice.
4. Meanwhile filter the jaggery syrup into a thick bottomed pan and add the mashed rice to it and mix well on a medium flame.
5. Add cardamom powder. Mix and cook well until the jaggery syrup blends with the rice. 
6. Add around 2 tbsp of ghee, grated coconut and mix well. It should begin to bubble up well. Switch off the stove.
7. In a small pan, add ghee and roast the cashews and raisins well.
8. Pour this to the sweet pongal and mix well.
9. Sweet pongal is ready to serve.

Note: Please feel free to use as much ghee as desired. The quantity of ghee elevates the flavor and consistency of sweet pongal.