Chekara Pongali

Ingredients:

• Rice- 1 cup
• Chana Dal/Senaga pappu- 1/2 cup
• Water-3 cups
• Milk- 1 cup
• Jaggery- 2 cups
• Cardamom powder
• Cashews
• Raisins
• Ghee

Procedure:

• In a pressure cooker cook the rice and dal by adding water and milk
• Cook for 5-6 whistles, this will let the dal cook nicely
• In a deep pot, add little ghee and saute the cashews and raisins till golden brown
• Add the cooked rice and dal mixture, add little water if you feel the rice is too dry
• Add the powdered Jaggery to this mixture and let it cook on a very low flame for 5-7 minutes, you can adjust the jaggery depending on your sweet level
• At this point the rice and dal mixture should be kind of mushy and watery but not runny
• If you feel the Pongal is too runny, continue cooking for some more time on a low flame
• Add the cardamom powder and remove from the flame
• Chekara Pongali is ready to serve hot!!!!