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WISH YOU ALL HAPPY PONGAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated with lot of excitement in Tamil Nadu. It is observed in the Tamil month, Thai Masam. This is not only festive day, its also another exciting day for us because its my son's birthday too. Ok, coming to the food part we prepare

1. Paal Pongal(Milk pongal with salt)
2. Chakkara Pongal(Sweet Pongal)
3. Kuzhambhu or Pulusu made with all country vegetables which is the best combo with Paal Pongal.



Lets know more about pongal festival before we eat it.....

Pongal is the biggest harvest festival celebrated as thanks giving occasion to the nature. Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kannum Pongal are the four festivals. And this year it falls on Jan 14th,15th,16th and 17th respectively.

Bhogi Pongal :

Bhogi Pongal or Bogi festival is the first day of Pongal celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.Bogi festival is dedicated to Lord Indra, the God of clouds and rains.

On Bhogi Pongal, people clean and white wash their houses. They store unwanted and waste goods for this festival. They Keep their houses attractive and to welcome all Gods they draw beautiful Kolam.In some areas, cow dung balls are also kept on kolams.

In the evening, the main ritual called ‘Bhogi Mantalu’ or the sacred bonfire is performed. The waste material is kept in middle and set fire. In some places, people dance around the Bhogi Mantalu or sacred bonfire.




Surya Pongal :


Surya Pongal is the second day of pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. As the name suggests, the festival is dedicated to Surya or Sun God. Surya Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and North Indian states. This is also the first day of the Tamil month of Thai masam. Kolam is the main attraction of Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. Women folk take it as a challenge to decorate their houses with beautiful kolam designs.

Surya Puja is the most important ritual during Surya Pongal festival. Devotees offer naivedyam of milk and jaggery to Lord Surya. Milk is boiled in every house in a clay pot and when the boiled spills out from the pot, children shout out “Pongal – oh – Pongal”. In some places, Pongal (rice recipe) is cooked.




Mattu pongal or Kanuma :

Kanuma festival is the third day of four-day Sankranthi festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. Kanuma festival is celebrated as Mattu Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

Mattu Pongal is dedicated to the cattle. Mattu pongal is celebrated on the next day of Pongal to honour bulls which works hard throughout the year. Bulls are given bath, their Horns are painted and decorated.Jallikattu, the ancient and bull taming festival, which is celebrated in some rural districts. In Alanganallur a village about few kilometers from Madurai it is one of the most popular events. This sport is also known as "Manju Virattu", meaning "chasing the bull".

Govardhana Puja or Go puja (worship of cows) is the major ritual during Kanuma. It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhana parvatham (Mount Govardhan) to save the farmers and people of Gokulam. Lord krishna’s victory over headstrong Indra is celebrated as kanuma pongal.





Kaanum Pongal or Karinal :

Kaanum Pongal is the final day of Sankranti celebrations.
As the name indicates Kaanum pongal is essentially a day of relaxation. On this day people arrange huge feasts, invite friends and relatives.

In some places, on this day bullock cart races and cock fightings are held. In some rural part of Tamil Nadu, People perform the ritual "Kummippattu". People Mingle freely and this gives opportunities to initiate new relationships.

So coming to the Food part...

Many people they use new vessel for making pongal they decorate with Mineral slaked lime(Sunnam or Sunnambu or Chunna), Kumkum and Chandanam(sandal wood powder)

Chakkara pongal or Sakkara Pongal(ver-I) :



Ingredients:

Raw rice (preferably new one) - 1 cup (Soak for 1hr if it is old rice else few minutes is enough) Milk - 7 cups (Since I had old rice it takes extra 1 cup for cooking)
Jaggery - 1 1/2 cup shredded
Cardamom - 4 pods powdered with little sugar
Cashewnuts - 10 to 12 broken
Ghee - 1/4 cup
Raisins - few



Method :

1. Boil the milk in the heavy bottom vessel. Once it is boiling add the washed rice.
2. Stir occasionally, meanwhile take the jaggery in a vessel add 2 tbsp of water and let it melt. 3.Once it is melted strain it using tea strainer and keep it aside.
4.Cook the rice until it is mushy and now add the filtered Jaggery.
5. Mix well and now add half amount of ghee.

6. Once it is blended well add the powdered cardamom.
7. Now in seperate pan fry the cashew and raisins in ghee.

8. Now add these nuts and remaining ghee to the pongal mix well and serve...

Yummy creamy Sweet pongal is now ready..........


Pal Pongal :

Ingredients:

Raw rice (preferably new one) - 1 cup (Soak for 1hr if it is old rice else few minutes is enough) Milk - 7 cups (Since I had old rice it takes extra 1 cup for cooking)
Salt - 1/2 tbsp




Method :

1. Boil the milk in the heavy bottom vessel. Once it is boiling add the washed rice.
2. Stir occasionally.
3.Cook the rice is well cooked. Add salt and serve with Pongal pulusu or KUzhambhu.




Mixed vegetable Pulusu or Pongal Pulusu:



Ingredients :

Chikkudu Kaya(Mochai, Indian broad beans) - 1/4 cup
Annumulu (Surthi lilva papdi) - 1/4 cup
Japanese sweet potato(Chakkara vallikilangu) - 1 chopped to big chunks

Yellow Pumpkin(parangi Kaya or Gummadikaya) - 1 slice deseeded chopped in big chunks with skin
Brinjal - 3 chopped into big chunks
Raw peanuts soaked and boiled - 3 tbsp (optional)
Ginger - 1 inch finely chopped
Green chilli- 3 sliced
Tamarind extract - 2 tbsp
Jaggery - 1/4 tbsp

Curry leaves - few
Mustard for seasoning
Coriander for garnishing





For spice paste :

Fry all these ingredients with tsp of oil make a paste of it.

Channa dhal - 1 tbsp
Urad dhal - 1 tbsp
Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Pepper corns - 1/2 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp
Fenu greek - 1 tsp

Red chillies - 6 or according to ur spicelevel
Coconut grated - 1 tbsp

Asafoetida - 1 tsp
Turmeric - 1 tsp

Method :


1. Boil all the vegetables. You can do it in microwave too.
2. To this add the add tamarind pulp, Jaggery, Curry leaves, Ginger, Chilli, Ground paste.
3. Add salt and let it cook for sometime.

4. Once it is done season with mustard and curry leaves.
5. Garnish with coriander serve with pongal.

Note :

Adjust the sourness, spicy and the sweet according to your taste buds.



ENJOY PONGAL !!!!!!!!!! WISH YOU ALL HAPPY PONGAL !!!!!!!!!!!!

Sook  – (January 14, 2010 at 1:40 PM)  

Happy Pongal and happy birthday to your son! Everything looks lovely.

Simplyfood  – (January 14, 2010 at 2:07 PM)  

A lot of the bloggers are celebrating Pongal and posting Pongal recipes.Its lovely to know the facts behind the festival.
Lovely dishes.Happy Pongal to you .

Priya Suresh  – (January 14, 2010 at 2:11 PM)  

Happy pongal wishes to u & ur family Pavithra...Lovely spread!!

Saraswathy Balakrishnan  – (January 14, 2010 at 2:17 PM)  

Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukal Pavi..that's a sweet spread u got there..nice click too:)

Mythreyi Dilip  – (January 14, 2010 at 2:33 PM)  

Wish you and your family a happy Pongal!!!

Namitha  – (January 14, 2010 at 2:37 PM)  

Happy Pongal Pavithra !!! everything looks great..shall I come over? :D

Unknown  – (January 14, 2010 at 3:04 PM)  

Happy Pongal and Happy Birthday To Ur Son...

very well written,detailed explanation of the festival,ritual and celebration...

Dishes looks Picture Perfect and Ideal for the celebration,great click as well...

keep Rocking.....

Padma  – (January 14, 2010 at 3:26 PM)  

Happy Pongal to you and your family Pavithra. Lovely dishes.

Unknown  – (January 14, 2010 at 3:52 PM)  

Everything looks great!!Wish u happy pongal pavithra!!

shahana  – (January 14, 2010 at 4:16 PM)  

Happy Pongal as well as happy birthday to your son

Gita Jaishankar  – (January 14, 2010 at 5:33 PM)  

Everything looks so festive and yummy dear...Happy Pongal :)

Mangala Bhat  – (January 14, 2010 at 5:34 PM)  

Hey Happy Pongal ..and Happy birthday to ur son ..God bless!

All the dishes u have done is simply superb!

Faiza Ali  – (January 14, 2010 at 6:51 PM)  

Happy pongal to you and your family, Pavithra. All the dishes look awesome and yummy..nice presentation.

Anonymous –   – (January 14, 2010 at 7:27 PM)  

every single meal is so apt for the festival.pongal vaazhthukkal and wishing ur little one a very happy bday

PriyaRaj  – (January 14, 2010 at 8:16 PM)  

Happy Pongal to u & ur family ....Happy birthday wishes to ur son .....Great clicks & explanation about pongal dear ....very nice ...

chef and her kitchen  – (January 14, 2010 at 8:31 PM)  

I love pal pongal wid that mixed vegetable and lentils sambar....all the dishes look yummy..my belated birthday wishes to adhavan...

Renuka Bedre - Rao  – (January 14, 2010 at 8:49 PM)  

Happy Birthday to your son dear! Happy pongal to u n family :) all d dishes r looking yum yum..loved first pic alot..n liked recipe of pongal pulusu! first time i heard of it..sounds very intersting!

Renuka
http://cookingyummy.blogspot.com/

PJ  – (January 14, 2010 at 8:50 PM)  

wow, very nice Pongal post! All the dishes look so delicious and the photos are great too. Happy pongal to you too!

Anonymous –   – (January 14, 2010 at 8:58 PM)  

Happy Pongal! Lovely display of pongal with kuzhambu..

www.ruchikacooks.com

Anu Nandu  – (January 14, 2010 at 9:30 PM)  

Happy Pongal to you and your family! Happy Birthday to your son! What a wonderful day to celebrate!

I love the description of the festival - even though we grow celebrating this every year - its nice to read the details about it. Thank you for that.

All of the dishes look wonderful too as always - have fun!

Sushma Mallya  – (January 14, 2010 at 9:46 PM)  

Happy pongal pavithra...All the dishes looks yummy

Anu  – (January 14, 2010 at 9:56 PM)  

Happy B'day to your son.. Pictures looks perfect.. Happy Pongal....

Nandinis food  – (January 14, 2010 at 10:02 PM)  

Happy birthday to your son.
Happy pongal!
All dishes are yummy.

my kitchen  – (January 14, 2010 at 10:04 PM)  

Pongal wishes to you & your family. Pongal & curry looks really yummy

Raks  – (January 14, 2010 at 10:30 PM)  

Happy pongal Pavithra,yummy spread,we make kootu with 7 veggies and both the pongals..:)

Lovely presentation!

Khaugiri  – (January 14, 2010 at 10:34 PM)  

Happy Pongal to you and your family. And happy birthday to your son:). It's my MIL's birthday too:)

Saraswathi Iyer  – (January 14, 2010 at 11:50 PM)  

Happy Pongal and Birthday wishes to your son.Lovely photos.

Invite you to participate in the cooking for kids event Healthy Breakfast/Dinner http://simplysara07.blogspot.com/2010/01/cfk-creative-food-for-pickyfussy-eaters.html

Regards,

Padhu Sankar  – (January 15, 2010 at 12:17 AM)  

Happy Pongal Pavithra! Enjoy.
Tempting Spread!

San!!!  – (January 15, 2010 at 8:14 AM)  

Happy pongal !! Seems you have lots going on in jan :D Heartiest b'day wishes to your son.What's his name? Paal pongal n pulusu a gr8 combo to hog on.Fab clicks dear.

kittymatti  – (January 15, 2010 at 9:02 AM)  

such beautiful clicks! artistic work!

Rachana  – (January 15, 2010 at 9:49 AM)  

Happy Pongal and Happy Birthday to your son:)

Oraphan  – (January 15, 2010 at 10:10 AM)  

This sounds very exciting and beautiful celebration! All the food looks absolutely fantastic especially I'm very interested in the mixed vegetable dish, Mmmm!!!

Wishing you and your family a very happy Pongal and happy birthday to your dear son! He must feel special to celebrate his birthday during big Pongal Festival!

ann low  – (January 15, 2010 at 10:13 AM)  

Happy Pongal and Happy Birthday to your son ;)
Also thank you for introducing about Pongal Festival,

Preeti Kashyap  – (January 15, 2010 at 10:24 AM)  

lovely spread pavithra! happy pongal!

Cham  – (January 15, 2010 at 10:53 AM)  

Happy Pongal we do celebrate the same way Pongal!

Ash  – (January 15, 2010 at 12:40 PM)  

What an inviting plate that is.... Truly festive!!!! & thanks for making it so inviting & welcoming.... It felt good & part of your festivities....

Ash...
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

Siddhi Shirsat  – (January 15, 2010 at 1:15 PM)  

happy pongal pavitra...nice dishes made...thy luks very yummy...nice clicks n nice info abt pongal...happy bday 2 ur son 2

Preethi Rajeev  – (January 15, 2010 at 3:40 PM)  

HappyPongal to you too and nice pic

Hayley  – (January 15, 2010 at 5:27 PM)  

Hi Pavithra

Happy Pongal and you have such a lovely dishes here..nice work done by you..:))

http://joyofcooking247.blogspot.com

Uma  – (January 15, 2010 at 5:32 PM)  

tempting dishes for the festival. HAPPY PONGAL :)

Angie's Recipes  – (January 16, 2010 at 12:22 AM)  

And lots of FOOD are served in this festival too!
Happy Pongal!

Anonymous –   – (January 16, 2010 at 5:33 PM)  

Hi Pavithra,

Ruchikacooks here, would like to share an award with you, hope you'll accept it. It is at http://ruchikacooks.com/?p=1194

www.ruchikacooks.com

Chef Jeena  – (January 17, 2010 at 2:27 PM)  

Wow what a fabulous feast! I would not know where t start first it all looks so very delicious!

radha  – (January 18, 2010 at 5:37 AM)  

Belated greetings. I just made the Chakara Pongal.

Usha  – (January 18, 2010 at 11:55 AM)  

Happy Pongal to you too ! Lovely write up on pongal and great presentation of dishes !

Anonymous –   – (January 18, 2010 at 5:18 PM)  

happy pongal

Deepti  – (January 18, 2010 at 11:01 PM)  

Dear Pavithra
Belated Pongal Wishes & Bday Wishes 2 ur Son...
Thanks 4 sharing these Festive recipes...& 4 such elaborate description...Keep up with the good work..
regards
deepti

Parita  – (January 18, 2010 at 11:36 PM)  

Belated greetings for pongal dear!
Eevrything looks mouth watering!

Samyukta Ganesh  – (January 19, 2010 at 12:51 AM)  

Hi...Wishing you and your family a very happy pongal and your son a very happy birthday!
Thanks for the detailed write up on Pongal and the recipes. The photo shots of the recipes look so delicious!

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