Tuesday, July 14, 2009

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????

23 comments:

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

I've never tried this version before-sounds great!!!

Anupama said...

@ Sweta: Thank you :-)

Ann said...

WOW totally new recipe to me, sounds yum and interesting dear!

Anupama said...

@ Ann: Thank you Ann. I don't know how South Indian/Tamilian this dish is, but was common in my family circle :-).

lata raja said...

Anupama, This is such a heavenly pongal.I love it too.

Anupama said...

@ Lata: Thank you Lata. I'm glad you like it too :-).

Sanghi said...

Yummy pongal!

Shama Nagarajan said...

new pongal to me...looks yummy

Anupama said...

@ Sanghi, Shama: Thanks a lot guys!!!!

Sunitha said...

Guess what I am trying out this weekend :-) Sounds great and very tempting indeed!

Nithya said...

Absolutely new recipe and it looks simply yummy.. :)

Nice blog on the whole. Keep it going.

First time here and sure to be here often. keep it going. :)

Anupama said...

@ Sunitha: Thanks da :-). Please do let me know how you liked it after you have tried.

@ Nithya: Thanks for stopping by Nithya!!! I appreciate it :-).

Parita said...

Oh i totally agree with u, i would love to treat my self with this wonderful dish, looks fab!

Anupama said...

@ Parita: Thanks a lot!!! I keep thinking about your strawberry sherbet and am actually going to make it this weekend, if I get fresh strawberries :-)

Rekha shoban said...

Hi anupama, this is first time im visiting ur blog...lot of new,simple and delicious recipes.

Anonymous said...

How i missed this nce dishes Anu!

Anupama said...

@ Rekha shoban: Thanks for stopping by Rekha :-).

@ Sanghi: Thanks Sanghi :-)

Anonymous said...

first time here Anupama..your puli pongal makes me drool..hey am goin to try this asap..lovely blog as well.am adding you.thanks

Anupama said...

@ Ann: Thanks for stopping by and for those kind words :-). Please do let me know how you liked it after you've tried it.

kitchen queen said...

I am used to making ven pongal but puli pongal seems delicious and new to me.

Anupama said...

@ Kitchen Queen: It is very very tasty though :-)

Mythreyi Dilip said...

Hi Anu, your blog makes me feel at home. What a wonderful array of traditional delicacies!

My hubby is Sourashtraian and they prepare this puli pongal often at home. But i had never tasted it or got this recipe anywhere. I am so happy to find this recipe in your blog. Thanks for sharing:)

Anupama said...

@ Mythreyi Dilip: You are very welcome. It has been a long time since I had this and one fine day I called my Grandma an got the recipe from her.