Khara Pongal Recipe: Authentic South Indian Savory Rice

40 minutes

736 reads

4.50 from 4 votes

About Khara Pongal Recipe: Authentic South Indian Savory Rice

Khara Pongal, a beloved South Indian savory rice dish, is a staple during the Pongal harvest festival in Tamil Nadu. This comforting and flavorful breakfast is also a common prasadam (offering) in many South Indian temples, showcasing its cultural significance.
Made with a simple combination of rice, moong dal (split yellow lentils), and aromatic spices, Khara Pongal offers a wholesome and delicious start to your day. The perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein makes it a nutritious alternative to processed breakfast cereals.
Learn how to make this traditional recipe, perfect for any occasion, and impress your family and friends with its authentic taste. Enjoy this easy-to-follow recipe and experience the rich culinary heritage of South India!
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Recipe Time & More

Prep20 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Total40 minutes
Calories432 kcal
Serves1
Recipe TasteSalty

Ingredients
 

Grains & Lentils

  • 1/2 cup Rice use medium-grain rice like sona masoori or basmati
  • 1/4 cup Mung Bean split yellow lentils; also known as split green gram

Spices & Aromatics

Garnish & Extras

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Instructions
 

Preparing the Dal and Rice

  • Rinse the moong dal and rice separately under cold water. Lightly sauté the moong dal in a pan until lightly fragrant.
  • Combine the rinsed rice and sautéed moong dal in a pot. Add water, turmeric powder, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the rice and dal are very soft and cooked through. This might require about 20 minutes or pressure cooking.

Preparing the Tempering

  • Heat ghee in a separate pan or kadai. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add black peppercorns and cashews. Sauté until the cashews are lightly golden brown.

Combining and Finishing

  • Gently stir the cooked rice and dal mixture into the tempering. Add desiccated coconut and mix well. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Add extra ghee for richness, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve Khara Pongal hot. Garnish with extra cashews or ghee. Enjoy it with coconut chutney or sambar for a complete meal.

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips for the Perfect Khara Pongal

  • For a creamier texture, use a higher proportion of moong dal to rice.
  • Adjust the amount of ghee to your preference. More ghee results in a richer flavor.
  • Don't overcook the rice and dal; they should be soft but not mushy.
  • For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of asafoetida (hing) along with the cumin seeds.

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4.50 from 4 votes

Recipe Nutrition

Calories: 432kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 10gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 2341mgPotassium: 441mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 869IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 5mg

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4.50 from 4 votes

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