Sankranti 2021: Rava Pongal, A Healthy Alternative

The festival of Pongal is almost upon us. It is the biggest festival of Tamil Nadu and celebrated with much vigour. This harvest festival is based around the recipe of Pongal, a dish that is made mainly with rice. There are many types of Pongal, some are sweet and others are spicy or salty. But the Pongal recipe that we are making today is a little different; it is Rava Pongal.

All Pongal recipes are traditionally prepared with rice. However, Rava Pongal is a delicious and healthy alternative to rice. The rava used in the Pongal is both filling and nutritious. Rava Pongal is not starchy like rice and has complex carbohydrates. So if you are on a weight loss diet, then Rava Pongal is the best dish for you.

Serves: 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• Rava- 1 cup
• Moong dal- 1/2 cup
• Ghee- 4tbsp
• Curry leaves- 10
• Cashew nuts- 8
• Ginger- 1 inch (chopped finely)
• Green chillies- 2 (chopped)
• Peppercorns- 6
• Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Salt- as per taste

Procedure

1. Pressure cook the moong dal with 1 cup of water for the duration of 2 whistles.
2. Heat 1tbsp ghee in a pan. Add the rava and saute for 3-4 minutes on a low flame.
3. Then add another 1tbsp ghee, peppercorns and cumin seeds to it. Fry for 2 minutes more and then remove from flame.
4. When it cools to room temperature, grind the fried cumin seeds and pepper into a powder.
5. Now boil 1 cup of water in a deep bottomed pan. When it bubbles, add the boiled dal and the fried rava in this pan.
6. Add some ghee to the pan (a 1tsp at a time) and keep stirring.
7. Also, add the powdered pepper and cumin seeds to this pan. Cook it for another 7-8 minutes.
8. Heat 1tbsp ghee in a small pan and season it with curry leaves, cashew nuts and green chillies. Prepare the seasoning for 1 minute and then pour it over the Rava Pongal.

You can serve Rava Pongal instead of the traditional rice dish for your Pongal feast.