Sakkarai Pongal (Sweet Pongal - South Indian Dessert)

 

          This is a traditional South Indian Dessert most popular in Andhra / Telangana and Tamil Nadu. This simple preparation includes rice, moong dal (green gram lentil) and jaggery. Sugar also can be substituted. It is generally made during Sankranti and Ugadi festivals. It also goes by the name of Chakkara or Sakkarai Pongal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1/2 cup rice
• 1/4 cup split green gram (moong dal)
• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup brown sugar or to taste
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp. ghee
• handful of mixed nuts

          Dry roast the moong dal for a minute or till you get a nice aroma coming through. Soak the dal and rice for an hour. Wash and drain well.

          Pressure cook in 2 cups water for 5-6 whistles. Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the mixed nuts till light golden. (Keep aside few to garnish).

          Add the boiled rice-dal mix, milk and sugar. Mix everything well and simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes and mashing them in between. 

          Add cardamom powder and continue to simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Serve them in individual bowls, garnished with chopped nuts.

                           Dry roast the moong dal till you get a nice aroma coming through. 

                                  Soak the dal and rice for an hour. Wash and drain well.

                                 Pressure cook in 2 cups water for 5-6 whistles. 

                                  Heat ghee in a pan & sauté the mixed nuts till light golden. 

                       Add the boiled rice-dal mix, milk & sugar. Mix well & simmer on a low 

                       flame for 4-5 minutes and mashing them in between. 

                     Add cardamom powder & continue to simmer for another 1-2 minutes.

                                Serve them in individual bowls, garnished with chopped nuts.