Aval Venpongal | அவல் வெண்பொங்கல்

Cooks in: 10 Minutes Serves: 2 People

Venpongal is one of the important offering during many poojas and festivals. This recipe using Aval/Poha is a quick recipe which gets ready in 5 minutes, if the cooked moong dal is ready. Try this extremely simple recipe during this Navaratri as an offering.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Barnyard Millet Poha/Aval
• 1.25 Cups Water
• 1/2 Cup Cooked Moong Dal
• 2 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp Ghee
• 2 Tbsp Chopped and roasted Cashew Nuts
• 1 Tbsp Chopped Ginger
• 1 Tsp Jeera
• 1/2 Tsp Crushed Black Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• A Pinch of Asafoetida Powder
• One Spring Curry Leaves

Directions:

1. Wash and drain the poha under running water and keep aside.
2. In a pan add 2 tbsp ghee and temper ginger, pepper powder, jeera, asafoetida powder and curry leaves in the same order.
3. Add water, cooked moong dal, salt and bring it to a boil on low heat. When it starts boiling, add the drained aval/poha and mix well and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Finally add the remaining ghee and roasted nuts. Turn off heat. Let it remain in the pan for another 5 minutes. This helps the poha to absorb the moisture in the retained heat.
5. Excellent aval pongal is ready.

Note:

• Other millet flakes/poha/aval can be used for this recipe.
• Can reduce water and add 1/4 Cup milk, which will enhance the taste.