Be it savoury or sweet, indulging in delicious Pongal dishes is the best way to celebrate this joyous occasion. Traditional Pongal food recipes like Ven Pongal, sweet Pongal, bisi bele bath and tamarind rice add a culinary richness to this vibrant harvest festival. Join us as we understand the significance of Pongal through the savoury warmth of these dishes that have been passed down through generations.

Significance of Pongal

As you know, most cultures celebrate the time of the winter solstice in one way or another. Similarly, different parts of India have different festivals to celebrate this phenomenon. In the South of India, we celebrate Pongal, a harvest festival to thank the Sun God for the abundance of nature.

During this time, people prepare different Pongal dishes to celebrate the auspicious occasion and hold a feast for their loved ones. Keep reading to learn some delicious Pongal food recipes that you can prepare during this festive season.

6 Pongal Food Recipes You Must Try

Here are some Pongal dish recipes that will help you immerse yourself in the spirit of the festival. From the savoury Ven Pongal to the sweet Pongal dishes, celebrate this harvest festival with these flavourful delicacies.

1. Ven Pongal Recipe

Ven Pongal or Khara Pongal is a popular breakfast dish made of two main ingredients - rice and moong lentils. It also includes a blend of southern spices and delicious flavours that make it an excellent Pongal dish. Here is an easy step-by-step ven pongal recipe for your reference:

Step 1: Take 1/4th cup of moong lentils and add them to a pan to roast on a low flame till they become fragrant.

Step 2: Add the roasted moong lentils to a bowl and add ½ cup of rice to the same bowl. Rinse the lentils and rice and drain them well before adding them to a pressure cooker.

Step 3: Now, add spices like cumin seeds, asafoetida, chopped ginger and salt as per your liking.

Step 4: Pour 3-3.5 cups of water depending on the consistency you want and cook them for 7 to 8 whistles. Your Khara pongal is ready to be served.

2. Sweet Pongal Recipe

To turn the same recipe into a sweet dish, you can make a few changes to the sweet pongal recipe by adding cardamom powder, and a handful of cashews and raisins. Switch to grated jaggery powder instead of salt and add a sweet yet healthy touch to the classic dish.

3. Pongal Payasam Recipe

Here’s another sweet Pongal recipe that is made of jagger, rice and milk. It is a traditional delicacy known for its creamy texture, rich taste and unique flavour. Keep reading to learn the detailed recipe:

Step 1: Cook rice and lentils together till they get soft.

Step 2: Make jaggery syrup by melting the jaggery or adding jaggery powder with water in a pan.

Step 3: Mix the jaggery syrup with the rice and lentils and add coconut milk and cardamom powder.

Step 4: Sauté cashews and raisins until golden using ghee in a pan and serve warm.

4. Bisi Bele Bath Recipe

This is the most popular rice and lentil dish from Karnataka that is made of rice, lentils and vegetables. Here’s how you can prepare this Pongal dish in a few easy steps.

Step 1: Cook rice and toor daal or lentils till soft. Take a pan and heat oil before adding mustard seeds, urad dal, and curry leaves for tempering.

Step 2: Saute a few vegetables of your choice and add them to the pan.

Step 3: Add tamarind pulp, Bisi Bele Bath masala powder, and asafoetida along with spices to the rice and lentil mixture.

Step 4: Stir well and this Pongal food recipe will be ready to serve.

5. Coconut Rice Recipe

Here is an easy Pongal dish that includes the freshness of coconut. It is a mild rice dish made with freshly grated coconut that you can cook in a few simple steps.

Step 1: In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, and curry leaves.

Step 2: Add peanuts, cashews, sliced green chillies, and asafoetida for flavour and saute till golden brown.

Step 3: Add grated coconut to this mixture and stir till the rice is fully cooked.