Ven Pongal

Ven Pongal (White Pongal/Kaara Pongal/Spicy Pongal) - South Indian breakfast item served with chutney, sambar or brinjal gothsu. It's simple and easy to prepare dish. It has its own sweet version too - Sakkarai Pongal. These are prepared specially during the harvest festival "Pongal". Happy Pongal to the readers of "RKC"...
Ingredients:
Raw rice - 1 cup
Moong dal - 1/4 + 2tbsp
Salt - to taste
Peppercorn - 1 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Ginger - 1 inch
Asafoetida - pinch
Curry leaves - few
Cashews - few
Water - 5 cup
Ghee - 2 tbsp

Method:
1. Wash and soak rice, dal for half an hour.
2. Add rice, dal, water, salt and pressure cook them for 3-4 whistles.
3. In a pan, heat ghee, roast cashews, remove and add it to the pongal.
4. In the same pan, add ginger slices, peppercorns, cumin, curry leaves, asafoedita and saute for few mins.
5. Add the tempered mixture to pongal, mix well and serve.