Puli Pongal

Puli pongal is my Grandma's trademark dish. It is simply yummy each time she makes it. I got the recipe from her and tried it. It came out well and I'm happy to have tried it :-).

Ingredients (about 2 servings):

Uncooked rice - 1.5 cups (using a measuring cup)

Tamarind soaked in warm water (for about 15 to 20 minutes) - about the size of a small lemon

(If using paste, about 3/4 teaspoons of it)
Dried red chillies - about 6 t0 7, broken into two

Cooking oil (or sesame oil) - 2 tablespoons

Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon

Channa dhal - 1 tablespoon

Turmeric powder - a pinch or two

Asafoetida - 1/4 teaspoon

Curry leaves - a few

Salt to taste

Prep work:

1. Soak the uncooked rice in water for about 30 minutes.

2. After 30 minutes, drain all the water from the rice, spread it on a thin cloth or tissue until all the water gets absorbed and the rice is completely dry. This roughly takes about 20 minutes.

3. Make a COARSE powder out of the dry rice from step 2 and set it aside.

Procedure:

1. Extract about 3 cups (using a measuring cup) of tamarind juice from the soaked tamarind or dilute the paste to yield about 3 cups (using a measuring cup) of tamarind water.

2. In a deep vessel, heat some cooking oil, pop mustard seeds, add the channa dhal, asafoetida and broken red chillies and fry until the channa dhal turns light golden brown in color.

3. To step 2, pour the tamarind water from step 1, add the curry leaves and turmeric powder and bring it to a boil. Boil for about 7 - 10 minutes on medium heat or until the raw smell of tamarind goes away.

4. To the contents of step 3, add the coarse rice and keep stirring to avoid any lumps. Half way through, add some salt and mix everything well. Wait until the rice gets cooked, turn off the stove and put the lid on for about 5 - 10 minutes.

5. Just before serving, drizzle sesame oil on the top and serve with fried papad.

Although this is the not the healthiest of the dishes, it does taste good and in my opinion, there is no harm in treating yourself to such items occasionally :-). Wouldn't you agree with me????