Sweet Pongal

Happy Pongal/Sankranti to all!

Pongal is known as the harvest festival where Hindus pay their thanks to the Gods of cattle and the earth. South Indian celebrate this festival and it is always celebrated on the 14th of January. On this day a pooja is done in the morning and sweet pongal is made. Pongal is a rice based sweet dish which is easy to make and delicious.

Ingredients:
4 cups milk
1 cup rice
1 1/2 cups sugar
2-3 threads of saffron
1 tsp cashews
1 tsp raisins
1 tsp ghee
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp butter
1/2 cup water


Method:
1. Heat milk in a pot on medium heat.
2. Wash rice and soak for 10 mins in 1 cup of water.
3. After milk starts to boil, add the soaked rice with water and add 1 tsp butter (butter helps the rice cook softly).
4. Heat half a cup of water and add the strands of saffron for 1 min and then remove saffron strand and add to the boiling milk.
5.Cover the pot leaving a little room for steam to come out.
6. Keep stirring occasionally to ensure that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
7. When rice is cooked and the consistency of the milk is thick, add the sugar and mix well for 2-3 minutes. Remove from flame and keep aside.
8. Heat ghee in a pan and add the raisins, cashews and cardamom for 1 minute or cashews turn light brown and add to the pongal and mix well.
9. Serve hot.