Pongal, sweet rice known as 'Pongal' is cooked in a new earthenware pot which is placed where the puja is to be performed.

Ingredients :

• 1 cup Rice.
• 1/4 cup Moong dal.
• /2- 1 tsp jeera.
• 1/2-1 tsp peppercorns.
• 1/2 tsp pepper powdered fresh.
• Few Cashewnuts broken.
• 1/2 cup dessicated Coconut.
• A pinch of Turmeric powder.
• Ghee.

Preparation :

• Fry the Moongdal a little till you get a light flavour.
• Mix the dal with the rice, add 2 -3 cups of water (the rice should cook very very soft).
• Add turmeric powder, coconut, a few peppercorns and a 1-2 tsp of ghee to the rice and pressure cook till done.
• When done, take a kadai add sufficient of Ghee to it, more the ghee better it tastes, add jeera, pepper corns and cashewnuts.
• Add the cooked rice mixture, add pepper powder, salt and mix well with the ghee and jeera/cashewnuts.

The pongal is ready!!! you can add some more ghee at the end if you need. It is best eaten fresh and Hot!!, You can serve it with Coconut Chutney, or Onion/Tomato Raita.