Pongal
In Tamil breakfast, next to Idly/Dosai, it is Pongal which is famous and frequently made at home. It is a default menu item in the restaurants during breakfast.
Pongal is made out of Rice.
Unlike Idly/Dosai, where rice gets grinded, in Pongal, we just steam cook the rice in a special manner. There is a subtle difference between the white rice/sadham we make for lunch and Pongal.
Whole black pepper and Cashewnut are added in Pongal and this makes unique feature of Pongal.
Coconut chutney is the best side dish for Pongal. Though Sambar is always there as a default for our breakfast side dish.
In restaurants, Pongal usually accompanies Medhu Vadai.
A detailed recipe of Pongal will be available shortly.
Pongal is also name of a festival that comes in January. Pongal is a very important festival (for Tamils and South Indians) to celebrate farmers and harvesting of rice.
We make a sweet Pongal to enjoy the celebrations.