Let us make Sakkarai pongal in a pressure cooker for this Pongal.Festive fever is in the air. The market is flooded with sugarcane, fresh turmeric , fresh finger, plaintain and flowers. There is such a happy atmosphere here is Chennai. It is Pongal time. The time when fresh paddy is harvested. Pongal is a celebration when sakkarai Pongal is prepared in a Pongal panai, cooked in a open ground and offered to sun god thanking him for his blessings that we could harvest and reap bountiful of the grains. It is nothing but thanks giving for the almighty for showering his blessings on us. On this day we can see beautiful kolams adorning the front yard. Pongal marks the start of the Thai month in tamizh calender which is very auspicious for any new beginning.
On this day, sakkarai Pongal is cooked in the traditional way. The paanai is washed, tiruman or namam apllied on four sides and is then decorated with the six most important ingredients. We tie the neck of the pot with a piece of sugarcane, a fresh turmeric plant, a fresh ginger plant, coconut , banana and yellow flowers. It is then kept on a stove only at the auspicious time. Then water and milk is added to it and we let it boil. When it over flows, everyone says prayers and chants pongol o Pongal!!!! Later rice and dal are added and cooked. Then in a separate kadai we make the jaggery syrup and add the rice dal mixture. But this lengthy procedure cannot be always followed by many in this fast age. People are rushing to work. Pressure cooking comes in handy at such times. So here is a simple video to show you how to cook sakkarai Pongal in a pressure cooker
This post is meant for people who are rushing to work. So I will be showing the cooking with minimum vessels to be used, so that there isn’t much to clean either. The dal is roasted in the cooker base itself. Later the rice and dal are added to it and cooked with water. Jaggery syrup is added to it and everything is cooked in the cooker. sounds easy right? It is definitely. Do try this out and let me know the feedback.
This week it the theme of Foodie Monday Bloghop is Harvest Harmony. Sakkarai Pongal in a pressure cooker is my contribution to the theme.
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Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a pressure pan. Add cashew nuts to it, roast it till it becomes light brown and take it out. |
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Add raisins and fry it. When it becomes plump, take it out and keep aside. |
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In the same pan, add the moong dal and roast it till a good flavor emanates. Do not let it brown. |
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To the same pan, add the washed rice and water. Mix well. Close the lid, put the weight on and let it cook for 3-4 whistles. Let the presure release on its own |
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Meanwhile add 1/2 cup water to the jaggery and boil it for 3-4 minutes on low heat. Strain it if there are impurities in the jaggery |
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Once the pressure has released, open the lid, add milk and mash well. Continue to cook on low flame , mashing and stirring for few minutes. |
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Now add the jaggery syrup and mix well. Add the cardamom owder and pachai kalpuram. Mix wellContinue to cook while stirring till everything comes togther. Switch it off. It will thicken once it cools down |
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Add the fried nuts and the rest of the ghee. Mix well. Offer it to the lord and then enjoy what you have cooked |
You can leave me an answer, a comment or a suggestion.
I make Sakkarai Pongal in a pressure cooker, almost the same way. I pressure cook the rice and moong daal together with milk and water, then proceed with the rest of the steps.
I love your version of Sakkarai Pongal, too. The photo is simply gorgeous!
I learnt making Sakkarai Pongal last year and now this delectable dessert often makes its presence on our tables on festive occasions . I make the same way as you have described here di. Loved your styling and photography .
I find the pressure cooker version of this sweet pretty good, hassle free and quick too especially when making for a large batch or pooja at home. I loved the video recipe Veena and you have fabulously edited it too. Kudos!
I have never tried any pongal dishes, these days I am discovering so many different Pongal varieties, tempting me to try one!! I looks so comforting!!
Wow! Veena that is awesome. I love the video and of course, you have me wishing I was in Chennai.
Wow Veena simply awesome. Loved your video recipe. Learned lots of new recipes from all of you. Lovely share.
great video recipe, Veena.. I want to learn how to make these quick ones from you ! the pressure cooker method is the only way we have been making chakara pongal and mom taught me that :p
Loved reading about the traditional way of making sakkarai pongal. Modern times call for modern methods.
Love the video which you have shared for this dish di !!! Such a lovely way of preparation
This Sakkarai pongal is one of the best Ive seen, it looks mouthwatering! Your description of the traditional method took me back to childhood days when my mother would make the pongal in a vengala pannai, and we would all stand and shout: Pongalo Pongal! Such lovely memories you have brought back!
Making pongal in pressure cooker is faster. Lovely Video Recipe Veena. Fantastic share.
A classic dish for the festival. I make both sweet and savory pongals in a pressure cooker too.
Ahha, You are making this not only memorable but also droolworthy. Just accquired a new pressure cooker and I guess this should be the first try then.
I make Sakkarai Pongal in a pressure cooker, almost the same way. I pressure cook the rice and moong daal together with milk and water, then proceed with the rest of the steps.
I love your version of Sakkarai Pongal, too. The photo is simply gorgeous!
I learnt making Sakkarai Pongal last year and now this delectable dessert often makes its presence on our tables on festive occasions . I make the same way as you have described here di. Loved your styling and photography .
I find the pressure cooker version of this sweet pretty good, hassle free and quick too especially when making for a large batch or pooja at home. I loved the video recipe Veena and you have fabulously edited it too. Kudos!
I have never tried any pongal dishes, these days I am discovering so many different Pongal varieties, tempting me to try one!! I looks so comforting!!
Wow! Veena that is awesome. I love the video and of course, you have me wishing I was in Chennai.
Wow Veena simply awesome. Loved your video recipe. Learned lots of new recipes from all of you. Lovely share.
great video recipe, Veena.. I want to learn how to make these quick ones from you ! the pressure cooker method is the only way we have been making chakara pongal and mom taught me that :p
Loved reading about the traditional way of making sakkarai pongal. Modern times call for modern methods.
Love the video which you have shared for this dish di !!! Such a lovely way of preparation
This Sakkarai pongal is one of the best Ive seen, it looks mouthwatering! Your description of the traditional method took me back to childhood days when my mother would make the pongal in a vengala pannai, and we would all stand and shout: Pongalo Pongal! Such lovely memories you have brought back!
Making pongal in pressure cooker is faster. Lovely Video Recipe Veena. Fantastic share.
A classic dish for the festival. I make both sweet and savory pongals in a pressure cooker too.
Ahha, You are making this not only memorable but also droolworthy. Just accquired a new pressure cooker and I guess this should be the first try then.