Sweet Pongal

By Mrunal | Updated: 31/12/2024

Sweet Pongal, also called as Sakkarai Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Chakkara Pongal in Andhra Pradesh, is a South Indian delicacy that is prepared as ‘prasadam’ and offered to the deity on the occasion of Pongal. Pongal is a four-day-long harvest festival that falls in mid-January. This staple recipe made with jaggery, ghee and nuts is everybody’s favourite from kids to adults. Plus, the addition of nutmeg and cardamom makes it smell and taste absolutely divine. A must-have-anything-sweet-just-can’t-resist recipe is what it is!

How To Make Sweet Pongal?

Sweet Pongal, also known as Sakkarai Pongal, is a traditional South Indian dessert made with rice, lentils, jaggery, and ghee. It is a delicious and festive treat often prepared during Pongal celebrations and other auspicious occasions. Let’s start with it.

Serves	Preparation Time	Cooking Time
6 People	10-15 Minutes	20-25 Minutes

Ingredients

Raw rice – 1 cup
Moong dal – 1/2 cup
Milk – 1 cup
Jaggery (shredded) – 200g
Ghee – 4 tbsp
Cashew – 2 tbsp
Raisins – 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp
Clove powder – A pinch
Nutmeg powder – A pinch
Saffron – A pinch
Water – 2 and 1/2 cups

Method

Step 1: Take a heavy-bottomed pan and roast rice and green gram dal separately for a couple of minutes.

Step 2: Pressure cook the rice and green gram dal with water and milk in 50:50 proportion for about 3 whistles. Mash them lightly and keep them aside.

Step 3: Dissolve the jaggery in around 3/4th cup of water and let it dissolve in water on low heat.