The Pongal festival is the grand celebration of harvest season. The festival is enjoyed in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. The festival is about enjoying different delicious dishes to tribute nature and embrace customs. The well-known recipes are an important part of Pongal festival.

The flavours of Pongal are spicy and sweet. This festival represents the rich cooking tradition of South India and brings the real cuisine taste to your table. In South India, curd rice, masala dosa, arachuvitta sambar, tamarind rice, and idli sambar are specially made during the Pongal festival. These South Indian recipes include curry leaves, tamarind, coconut, and a variety of spices and lentils as the main ingredients.

The secret to an authentic Pongal recipe often lies in the technique:

• Getting the creamy consistency of curd rice or the correct texture for puliyodharai (tamarind rice).
• The skill of fermenting dosa batter to make the perfect Masala Dosa.
• How to roast and grind fresh masalas for Arachuvitta Sambar.

If you’re cooking South Indian dishes for the first time, then cooking these traditional foods at home without help can be difficult.

Let’s explore these mouthwatering South Indian recipes to celebrate Pongal:

1. Thayir Sadam (Curd Rice)

Curd rice is a mouthwatering food enjoyed by everyone. Curd Rice recipe Simple and perfect for Pongal. Curd rice is made by mixing cooked rice with curd and milk. It is then tempered with spices like curry leaves, mustard seeds, and green chillies to enhance the flavor. If you are planning to cook curd rice this Pongal, then you can enhance your culinary skills by joining a cooking course.

2. Masala Dosa

Masala Dosa is a traditional dish of South India served during special occasions and festivals. Masala Dosa is a crunchy rice crepe filled with spiced potato stuffing. Masala dosa recipes require the perfect batter fermentation techniques for a crispy and golden texture. In cooking classes, you will learn the technique to spread the dosa batter on the griddle and the process to make the potato masala filling using the perfect mixture of spices.

 3. Sweet Pongal (Sakkarai Pongal)

Sakkarai Pongal is the special dish made during the Pongal festival. This signature dish is a sweet rice dessert made with moong dal, jaggery, and ghee. This dish is usually cooked in a clay pot and presented to the Sun God as a sign of thanks for a good harvest.

 4. Tamarind Rice (Puliyodharai)

Puliyodharai is a spicy and tangy dish that is usually made during Pongal and other South Indian festivals. The Puliyodharai recipe includes tamarind paste, jaggery, and spices to balance the flavours perfectly.

 5. Arachuvitta Sambar

Arachuvitta Sambar is one of the most popular South Indian sambar recipes. This delicious lentil-based curry is made with vegetables and freshly ground spices. You can enjoy this dish with idli and dosa or can also consume it with steamed rice. Our aim at NFCI is to teach both modern and traditional cooking skills. We offer customized cooking classes in Belgaum for experienced and beginner students.

Read More: 10 Healthy Dosa Batter Recipe avoiding maida

Conclusion

Pongal is mostly celebrated in south Indian families where traditional dishes are made and served. People enjoy a lot of South Indian dishes during this time of the season. Whether it’s Puliyodharai, Sakkarai Pongal, or Curd Rice, these recipes hold the spirit of South Indian cooking.

At NFCI, our aim is to help aspiring hotel managers and chefs stand out in their profession. If you are passionate about learning South Indian recipes, NFCI’s Cooking Classes in Karnataka and Hotel Management Colleges in Karnataka can help you perfect your culinary skills. We offer a range of cooking classes in Punjab, Belgaum, and beyond. Join us and take the first step toward mastering culinary excellence.

So, this Pongal, why not enroll in a cooking class and take your south Indian cooking skills to the next level? Visit NFCI today to explore our cooking courses and begin your journey toward mastering the art of cooking! Happy Pongal