VEN PONGAL

INGREDIENTS:

 White rice – 1 cup
 Red gram – ½ cup
 Fresh ground pepper – ¼ tsp
 Whole peppercorns – ¼ tsp
 Salt -1 tsp
 Green chilies - 4
 A few curry leaves
 Asafoetida – a pinch
 Ghee – 1 tbsp
 Oil – 1 tbsp
 Green coriander – 1 tbsp

PREPARATION METHOD:

Wash rice and pulses and drain water completely. In a large sauce pan, heat ghee and oil on medium heat. Slit green chilies length wise. Fry the green chilies, curry leaves, pepper powder and peppercorns.
 Add the rice, pulses and asafoetida to this and fry for 3 minutes.
 Add 4 1/2 cups of water, salt and cover the sauce pan.
 Cook it on medium heat till rice and dal become very soft and keep stirring in between to avoid burning.      Add more water if necessary.
 Garnish with coriander.
 Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.