7 Must-Try Recipes for a Compassionate & Delicious Pongal Celebration

Pongal marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a celebration of abundance, gratitude, and food. Traditional dishes shared with family are the highlight of this Tamil festival. With a few simple swaps, you can keep these festive recipes just as flavorful while making them kind to all beings.

Ven Pongal — Comfort in Every Bite

A staple dish during Pongal, this savory rice and moong dal combo is gently spiced and tempered for warmth and flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup moong dal
• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 tbsp whole black pepper
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 10–12 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp coconut oil or peanut oil
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Dry roast moong dal until lightly golden. Rinse it along with rice.
2. Pressure cook dal and rice with 3.5 cups water until soft and mushy.
3. In a small pan, heat oil. Add pepper, cumin, ginger, and curry leaves. Sauté until fragrant.
4. Pour the tempering over the cooked pongal. Mix well and serve hot.

Sakkarai Pongal — Sweet, Creamy & Festive

This sweet rice dish made with jaggery is a must-have for the Pongal festival.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw rice
• 1/4 cup moong dal
• 3/4 cup jaggery (grated)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup thick coconut milk
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• Cashews and raisins for garnish

Method

1. Roast the moong dal lightly and rinse it along with the rice.
2. Pressure cook with water until soft.
3. In another pan, melt jaggery with 2 tbsp water. Strain to remove impurities.
4. Add cooked rice-dal to the jaggery syrup. Stir well.
5. Pour in coconut milk and cook on a low flame for 5–7 minutes.
6. Add cardamom powder.
7. In a small pan, heat the coconut oil. Fry cashews and raisins. Add to the pongal and serve warm.

Vazhakkai Curry — Spiced Raw Banana

A crispy, spiced accompaniment that pairs beautifully with rice-based dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 raw bananas (peeled and cubed)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 8–10 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Parboil the raw bananas in salted water. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, and hing.
3. Add the bananas, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Sauté on medium heat until golden and crisp.

Coconut Chutney — A South Indian Essential

A simple, cooling chutney to balance the heat of the meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup grated coconut
• 2 tbsp roasted chana dal
• 1 green chili
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 6–8 curry leaves
• 1 tsp oil

Method

1. Blend coconut, chana dal, chili, salt, and water into a smooth paste.
2. Heat oil and add mustard seeds and curry leaves.
3. Pour the tempering over the chutney before serving.

Rasam — Spicy & Tangy

Light and full of flavor, rasam is great on its own or paired with rice.

Ingredients

• 2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp tamarind paste
• 1 tsp rasam powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 2–3 crushed garlic cloves
• 6–8 curry leaves
• Fresh coriander for garnish
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp oil

Method

1. In a pot, combine tomatoes, turmeric, tamarind, rasam powder, salt, and water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10–12 minutes.
3. In a small pan, heat oil. Add mustard, cumin, garlic, and curry leaves.
4. Pour the tempering into the rasam. Garnish with coriander.

Payasam — Creamy Coconut Dessert

A rich dessert made with coconut milk, rice or vermicelli, and jaggery.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vermicelli or rice
• 1/2 cup jaggery (grated)
• 1.5 cups water
• 1 cup thick coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• Cashews and raisins for garnish

Method

1. Roast the vermicelli/rice in coconut oil until lightly golden.
2. Add water and cook until soft.
3. Add jaggery and stir until dissolved.
4. Pour in coconut milk and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
5. Add cardamom powder and mix well.
6. Garnish with fried cashews and raisins.

Looking for the perfect Avial recipe to complete your meal? Check out our Onam blog.

Celebrate Pongal with Joy and Kindness

Enjoy your Pongal feast with dishes that are rooted in tradition and made with compassion. Want more recipes and support? Join our Facebook community and follow our Instagram page

Happy Pongal!