My ven pongal recipe is pretty much learnt from my mother in law. She makes a creamy venpongal for breakfast and serves it with jaggery. The reason why I still call hers venpongal and mine as Kara pongal is because there is a small change in the tempering ingredients which to my taste makes a big change.
Once I realised the pongal is the easiest one pot recipe I can do… And pretty much balanced with carbs and protein… There were umpty number of experiments with grains and lentils. Some I call as khichdi, and some as kara pongal
Though the pongal is a perfect breakfast item with respect to me…. It kind of raises a few eyebrows in my house and a few more… “I am too sleepy, so don’t want to eat. ” The same if served for lunch with a big bowl of sambhar and this problem totally vanishes. So why not. It perfectly makes a happy day for me
I love this easy pressure cooked version as it quick and one pot to prepare. The additional handful of the lentils added is always welcome.
While cooking Kara pongal, I pretty much reduce the quantity of ghee that goes into the pressure pan and the tempering.. Coz its quite heavy as a dish with loads of ghee.. Though in the days we return from a hike I allow the kids an extra dollop of ghee on it.. Here I would like to say, the taste does alter a big much if you reduce on the ghee.
Thinai arisi
Thinai arisi
In this version I have used thinai, kangi, navane, thina or fox tail millet. Slightly yellow in colour thinai arisi is easily digestible and helps in control of cholesterol an triglyceride levels in the body.
Though considered a grain this is actually a seed..and that follows more benefits. Being gluten free, and diabetic friendly the use of thinai in this recipe makes it a good meal for people with coeliac disease. As a millet it is rich in vitamins and minerals too.
So now loaded with information let’s move on to the recipe.
This recipe can be prepared using, white rice, brown rice, kodo millet (varagu arisi) or Barnyard millet (kuthiravalli) or little millet (saamai arisi) too. So go on with this beautiful traditional age old recipe and enjoy.Sharing the recipe for the venpongal as I learnt from my mother in law
A couple more millet recipes are here too
Thinai Kara Pongal
one pot foxtail millet
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1/2 cup Foxtail millet hulled
- 1/2 cup Green gram dal skinned
- 5 cups drinking water
For tempering
- 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter ( use coconut oil for a vegan version)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
- 1 pinch Asafoetida
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 3-4 tbsp cashew nuts
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Set the pressure cooker to heat gently.
- Add the green gram dal and roast gently till it acquires a beautiful aroma.
- Add in the fox tail millet stir and add the water
- Close the pressure cooker and cook for 3-4 whistles
- Meanwhile in a small pan, add the ghee , cumin, crushed black pepper, curry leaves and cashew nuts and roast till the cashew nuts turn golden.
- Add in the asafoetida. Remove from heat.
- once the pressure is released, open and add the tempering and steam. Mix well, check salt.
- Serve with sambhar or chutney
Notes
Change the millets to kodo millet, little millet or barnyard millet depending on the availability with the same recipe.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This looks like a delicious healthy breakfast. Is it taste similar to upma?
yes indeed a healthy breakfast, the texture is more creamy, and slightly different from Upma
Super healthy… Simple and soulful dish… Beautiful clicks
Thankyou Ruchi
Love your healthy twist to traditional pongal. Using millets sounds delicious and nutritious.
Thank you. yes nutritious indeed
This is a healthy breakfast. I like to prepare this as it is the easiest one.
That is so true. its so easy and one pot
Hi, millets are very much regular in my house. I replace the millets for any rice recipes. Navane Pongal is my favourite. Will try your method soon. By the way, my family hates if I serve it saying Pongal and they live it if I serve it calling kichdi. What’s there in name right?
Thats true , my family also has it for lunch with some sambar or raitha. Will love to see your version when you try.
Delicious and healthy.
Looks really good. And so healthy too. One pot meals are definitely a lifesavor.
Thankyou Alvin. Yes indeed, one pots are absolute favorites
I was amazed with u r menu’s.
thanks Murli, please don”t miss to subscribe
One of my favorite khichdis… I love to make it for dinner as a light meal option.
very true.. they are sumptuous
Excellent thinai pongal, would love to kick start my day with this beautiful dish.
Thankyou Priya
Healthy feast !
I too love foxtaIl millet pongal. Healthy and tasty.
thank you, hope you would try too