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–+ servings
Ven pongal in a plate with a side of sambhar

Easy Ven Pongal - Vegan

Try this simple vegan Ven Pongal made with ingredients like rice and lentils that are easily avaiable. This popular South Indian dish is delicious and easy to put together and typically served as breakfast in many parts of South India.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Lunch
Cuisine South Indian
Servings 3 people
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

Prepping the Rice and Lentils

  • ½ cup rice - any type of white rice 100 g
  • ¼ cup moong dal split and peeled mung beans (60 grams)
  • ½ tsp toasted ground cumin
  • ⅛ tsp asafoetida hing
  • 1 inch ginger chopped
  • 4-5 cups water according to desired consistency
  • salt to taste

Tempering

  • 2 tbsp vegan ghee or avocado oil or any oil to your preference
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns whole or crushed
  • 9-10 curry leaves
  • 9-10 cashews halved

Instructions
 

Preparing the Rice and Lentils

  • Heat a small pan or a wok and toast the moong dal/lentils.
  • Keep the heat low and stir till they become aromatic.
  • Add the toasted lentils and rice to a bowl and rinse with water a couple of times with water.
  • Add the washed lentils and rice to a pressure cooker with 4-5 cups of water.
  • Then add cumin seeds, asafetida, chopped ginger and salt to taste.
  • Pressure cook on a medium heat for about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Once all the pressure naturally leaves the cooker, remove the lid to check the consistency.
  • If the pongal looks dry and not slightly mushy, then add around 1/2 cup more boiling water and cook with an open lid for a bit longer.

Tempering

  • In another small pan, heat the oil or vegan ghee.
  • Add the cumin seeds and let splutter.
  • Add cashews and fry until the cashews become slightly golden.
  • As soon as it turns slightly golden, add the peppercorns and curry leaves.
  • Stir well and once the leaves look crispy, take it off the heat. Pour the tempering immediately to the pongal.
  • Mix well and cover so that the flavors settle and infuse into the pongal.
  • Remove the lid and serve with some coconut chutney or sambar. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 35.7gProtein: 8.7gFat: 11.7gSodium: 778mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 0.4gIron: 2mg
Keyword POngal, Ven pongal, Venn Pongal
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