{"id":"b6f88877-cf62-42b7-aaea-c531693e71fc","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/b6f88877-cf62-42b7-aaea-c531693e71fc","source_url":"https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/pongal-recipe-venn-pongal/","title":"Ven Pongal Recipe (Khara Pongal)","description":"Khara or ven pongal is a rice lentil dish that is often prepared in south Indian homes to offer to GODS during puja. It is also a comfort food and is made often to enjoy with sambar or chutney. Instructions for stovetop & Instant pot included.","servings":3,"servings_text":"3","prep_time":"PT5M","cook_time":"PT25M","total_time":"PT30M","image_url":"https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/pongal-ven-pongal.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"½ cup rice ((100 grams, any short rice or millets, oats, quinoa))","item":"rice ((100 grams, any short rice or millets, oats, quinoa))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"½ cup moong dal ((100 grams, skinned split mung beans))","item":"moong dal ((100 grams, skinned split mung beans))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"3¼ to 3½ cups water ((800 to 840 ml, more if needed))","item":"water ((800 to 840 ml, more if needed))","quantity":3.25,"quantity_max":3.5,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"½ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))","item":"salt ((adjust to taste))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"2 to 3 tablespoons ghee ((½ tbsp more for serving))","item":"ghee ((0.5 tbsp more for serving))","quantity":2,"quantity_max":3,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"10  cashew nuts  ((or as needed, optional))","item":"cashew nuts ((or as needed","quantity":10,"preparation":"optional))"},{"text":"¾ teaspoon cumin seeds ((jeera))","item":"cumin seeds ((jeera))","quantity":0.75,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"½ teaspoon black pepper corn ((crushed lightly))","item":"black pepper corn ((crushed lightly))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 inch ginger  ((peeled, grated or sliced or chopped))","item":"inch ginger ((peeled","quantity":1,"preparation":"grated or sliced or chopped))"},{"text":"1 sprig  curry leaves","item":"curry leaves","quantity":1,"unit":"sprig"},{"text":"⅛ teaspoon asafoetida ((hing))","item":"asafoetida ((hing))","quantity":0.125,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1  green chili (slit (optional, skip if offering to god))","item":"green chili (slit (optional, skip if offering to god))","quantity":1}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Add ½ cup dal to a pot or pressure cooker. (If you prefer to rinse the lentils before roasting, follow my step by step photo instructions in the post).","section":"Preparation"},{"number":2,"text":"Dry roast on a low to medium flame till it begin to smell nice & aromatic. Do not brown or discolor the moong dal. This step is optional however pongal gets a real aroma from the roasted dal.","section":"Preparation"},{"number":3,"text":"Add ½ cup rice to the roasted dal. Wash them at least three times. Drain the water completely. Pour 3¼ to 3½ cups water. Add ½ teaspoon salt. Cook the rice & dal to a soft texture.","section":"Preparation"},{"number":4,"text":"For pressure cooking: If cooking directly in the pressure cooker, then cook for 2 to 3 whistles on a medium flame. If cooking in a bowl, then place it in the cooker and pressure cook for 4 whistles. When the pressure releases naturally, open the lid.","section":"Preparation"},{"number":5,"text":"To cook in pot: You can also cook the rice & dal in a pot until soft & mushy. Add more water if needed as it cooks.","section":"Preparation"},{"number":6,"text":"Open the cooker when the pressure drops. If you prefer, you can mash up the cooked rice & dal a bit to get creamy consistency. It should be mushy and soggy.","section":"Preparation"},{"number":7,"text":"If it is too dry, add some boiling water to bring it to a consistency you like. Boil It for a few minutes. It should not be very runny or dry. Add more salt if needed and stir.","section":"Preparation"},{"number":8,"text":"Heat a small pan with 2 tablespoons ghee. Split open 10 cashew nuts & fry them till golden. Remove these to a plate for garnish.","section":"How to make Ven Pongal"},{"number":9,"text":"To the same pan, add ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds & ½ teaspoon crushed pepper. When the seeds splutter, lower the heat, add slit green chili (optional) & ginger. Saute for 30 seconds.","section":"How to make Ven Pongal"},{"number":10,"text":"Add curry leaves. Saute well until the tempering turns aromatic & curry leaves turn crisp. Then add hing. We also add a pinch of turmeric & it is optional.","section":"How to make Ven Pongal"},{"number":11,"text":"Pour this to the cooked pongal. Mix and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes so the flavors are absorbed. Serve ven pongal hot with coconut chutney or sambar.","section":"How to make Ven Pongal"},{"number":12,"text":"Rinse rice and dal a couple of times and drain the water. Press SAUTE button and pour ghee to the steel insert.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":13,"text":"Fry the cashews until golden and remove them to a plate. Then add cumin seeds and crushed pepper.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":14,"text":"When they splutter, add ginger, curry leaves, green chili (optional) and hing. Saute for 30 seconds.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":15,"text":"Then add turmeric, moong dal and rice. Saute for 2 to 3 mins until the moong dal begins to smell good.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":16,"text":"Pour 3 cups water and add half teaspoon salt. Deglaze the pot by scrubbing the bottom with a spatula.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":17,"text":"Press CANCEL button and secure the instant pot with the lid. Position the steam release valve to sealing.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":18,"text":"Next press PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 9 mins. When the IP is done, it beeps. Let the pressure release naturally.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"},{"number":19,"text":"Stir and taste test. Add more salt if needed. If the consistency is too thick, pour some hot water & give a good mix. Garnish ven pongal with more hot ghee and fried cashews. If you want you may temper it once more but I have not felt the need.","section":"Instant Pot Pongal"}],"date_published":"2026-10-29T23:42:12.927831+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-29T23:42:12.927831+00:00"}