10 Best Pongal Recipes for the Pongal Festival

Are you also planning to make this Pongal festival special?

Do you want to prepare some delicious pongal recipes?

Pongal is not just a festival. It is an emotion deeply rooted in the food culture of South India. It is a tradition, warmth, comfort food, and nutrition served in one bowl. Pongal is made with simple ingredients like lentils and rice yet rich in taste.

Let’s explore the 10 best Pongal recipes:

1. Sakkarai Pongal

 

The Sakkarai pongal recipe is a delicious festive treat prepared during the Pongal. This pongal recipe is made using moong dal, rice, milk, jaggery, ghee, and dry fruits. It is well-known for its rich aroma and a melt-in-the-mouth consistency. The sweetness of jaggery mixed with raisins and roasted cashews adds an exotic taste.

 

 

 

 

2. Ven Pongal

 

Ven pongal is another one of the most popular savory pongal recipe. Its comforting flavor and creamy consistency makes it a favorite of everyone. Moong dal and rice are cooked together in this recipe and then tempered with cumin, ginger, black pepper; curry leaves, and generous ghee.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Rava Pongal

 

Rava Pongal is a healthy breakfast recipe of South India. As the name suggests, this pongal recipe includes rava and moong daal.Rava Pongal is served with mango pickle, coconut chutney, or curd. You can also serve rava pongal with sambar.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Moong Dal Khichdi Style Pongal

 

This pongal recipe is a healthy version inspired by moong dal khichdi. This easy and nourishing pongal recipe is perfect for those who prefer to have a light and balanced meal. It includes a small amount of spices and is high in protein. It is perfect to add into a modern South Indian lunch while being connected with the traditional roots.

 

 

5. Millet Pongal

 

Millet-based pongal is popular among health-conscious food lovers. This pongal recipe is high in nutrients and fiber, as it includes millets instead of rice. It is healthy as well as tasty. You can pair it with a South Indian sambar recipe and coconut chutney, which makes it perfect for vegetarian South Indian dinner recipes.

 

 

6. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Coconut Pongal

 

Coconut pongal adds a sweet taste to the traditional pongal recipe. This recipe is made from fresh coconut and coconut milk which give it a creamy texture and mild sweetness. This type of pongal is popular in Kerala-style south Indian recipes. You can pair it well with vegetable south Indian sambar.

 

 

 

 

8. Pepper Pongal

 

If you are looking for a comforting, bold, and spicy dish of South India, then pepper pongal is the best. This pongal recipe includes cumin and crushed black pepper as main ingredients. It is often advised as a soothing meal and is perfect for cold mornings.

 

 

 

 

9. Temple Style Pongal

 

Temple-style pongal has a unique taste due to traditional cooking methods. It includes ingredients like edible camphor and freshly churned ghee. It is usually served with the puliyodharai recipe, curd rice recipe, or masala dosa during religious feasts.

 

 

 

 

10. Spicy Vegetable Pongal

 

Vegetable pongal is a healthy pongal recipe. This pongal recipe includes peas, beans, carrots, and spices. It is filling, colorful, and perfect for South Indian vegetarian dinner recipes. This version is often served with the arachuvitta sambar recipe or simple coconut chutney.

Why Choose NFCI?

If you are aiming to master the modern and traditional South Indian recipes, then by learning from professionals can make the difference. NFCI is a top cooking institute in Karnataka. NFCI offers structured learning for aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts. NFCI is a reputed hotel management college in Karnataka and provides practical training to authentic cooking styles. NFCI cooking course in Karnataka covers all traditional South Indian dishes.

Conclusion

South Indian recipes are popular among health-conscious individuals. With just simple ingredients you can create extraordinary dishes. Pongal has always been a timeless dish in South Indian cooking. If you want to improve your culinary skills or want to learn pongal recipes then you must connect with NFCI.