Sakarai pongal

There are many types of pongal like Ven pongal, Melagu pongal and pulli pongal. But Sakarai pongal is a sweet pongal, which is also an offering to the diety in many temples. Tamilians prepare this pongal during the thai pongal festival, which  extends from January 13-16 of the Gregorian calendar. This harvest festival coincides with Makara Sankranthi celebrated throughout India.

Ingredients:

1. Raw rice - 1cup
2. Yellow split green gram -1/4cup
3. Crushed jaggery -1cup
4. Raisins -2tsps
5. Cashew -2tsps
6. Clarified butter -1/cup
7. Cardamom powder -1tsp

Method:
Fry the cashew and raisins separately with little clarified butter. Keep it aside.
Dry roast the rice till it emits a nice aroma. Pressure cook it along with green gram till soft.
In a heavy bottomed pan heat the jaggery with few teaspoons of water. When it starts to dilute add the cooked rice, green gram and the clarified butter. Keep stirring it till it thickens to the consistency of jam. Remove from heat and add the cardamom powder. Garnish with fried cashew and raisins.

Note: One cup of roasted rice and a quarter cup of green gram can be cooked in three cups of water in a pressure cooker.