I prepared this for sankranthi. I know i am late in posting this, nowadays my baby’s schedule is changing  so i am getting less time on computer. Here goes the recipe for pongal:

Ingredients:
 2cups rice
1/2 cup split green gram/moong dal
salt to taste
1 tsp whole peppercorns
1 tsp cumin seeds and mustard seeds
1″ inch ginger, peeled and sliced thinly
pinch of asafoetida
few sprigs of curry leaves
2 sprigs of green onion chopped and 2 tbsp onion chopped, 3 green chillies slit length wise

Method:

1.Wash and clean rice and lentil well until the water runs clear.

2. Mix them both and add salt and 6 cups of water. Place them in a pressure cooker and cook for 1 whistle.

3.Meanwhile in a little ghee, add cumin seeds, green onion and onion, chillies and ginger. Then add peppercorns. In the very end, add curry leaves and asafoetida.
4. Add the tempered  mixture and mix well. Serve hot.

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked rice

1/2 onion chopped

4 small green chillies slit length wise

2 carrot chopped into strips

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup frozen corn

Few sprigs of coriander leaves chopped

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

Pinch of  turmeric

Salt to taste

2 tsp biryani masala

2 cardamon

2 cloves

1/2 inch cinnamon

1 tsp jeera

5 tbsp oil

Method:

• Cook the rice and spread it in a plate to seperate and cool.
• Heat the oil.
• Add jeera, cardamon, clove and cinnamon.
• After they brown up a little, add onions and chillies.
• Fry until onion becomes little translucent.
• Add ginger garlic paste and turmeric.
• Fry for few seconds and add peas and corn.
• Fry for a minute or two and add  carrots and salt (just enough for the veggies).
• Keep the lid on and cook until carrots are tender.
• Remove the lid and add biryani masala and fry for 2 mts.
• Add cooked rice and salt.
• Mix everything once, garnish with cilantro and enjoy.