How to make spicy / Khara Instant Pot Pongal recipe
In South India, Pongal is as common breakfast as cereal – although much more filling and nutritious if you count the servings of protein you get in a small plate of Pongal. There, it is nearly always served with a side of coconut chutney or a hot cup of sambar for a complete sumptuous meal. I am sharing a vegan version of Pongal recipe with an Instant Pot today.
As delicious as it can be, Pongal can be challenging sometimes if you do not get the right texture of rice. I used jasmine rice for this recipe, you can use any kind of short white grain rice.
Using a gadget like the instant pot( electric pressure cooker)makes it simple and fast.
There are two variations of Pongal. One is a spicy version with black peppers and moong dal. Other is a sweet version made with sugar or jaggery. As my recipe name suggests, I am sharing the recipe for the spicy version today.
This Spicy/ Khara Pongal is my family favorite so I prepare this often and I have more recent pictures to share.
This savory dish is made with rice and yellow moong lentils. And with the mixture of cumin, black pepper and cashew nuts with Black Pepper being the most important ingredient. You could use add them whole or crush them as I did. Regardless, it is one ingredient you should not miss.
The original non-vegan Spicy / Khara Pongal uses a lot of ghee and involves deep frying the ingredients in ghee. This vegan Khara Pongal not only makes it healthy but also makes it snappy.
old pic:
There are more variations that can be adopted in this Pongal recipe. Like adding more vegetables or substituting rice with Rava. It is really up to you to customize it. But do not forget the chutney!
Try it for breakfast this weekend and let me know how you liked it!.
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Here are the recipe details.
Instant Pot Spicy Pongal - Khara Pongal
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice (short grain type) I used jasmine rice
- 1 cup yellow moong dal
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp cashews
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 strand curry leaves
- 3 tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp crushed black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 green chilies optional
- 5 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Add oil to the inner pot and press saute.
- As the oil heats up, add cashews and saute until they turn golden brown.
- Follow up with mustard seeds, cumin seeds and stir for about 30 seconds.
- Add curry leaves, chilies, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add washed rice, yellow moong dal, salt, and water. Stir well and close the lid.
- Turn the steam release handle to sealing position and Press pressure cooking option and set the time for 7 minutes. (high pressure)
- When time is up open the lid using 10 min NR
- That's it. Spicy Pongal is ready to be devoured. Serve warm with a side of coconut or tamarind chutney.
Video
Nutrition
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Enjoy Instant pot spicy Pongal or Khara Pongal with chutney! Happy Cooking.
Made this yesterday. It was so good!!! Looking forward to more posts.
That is great Kimberly! Thank you 🙏🏻
Hi Uma,
Thanks for the guidance to use instant pot for pongal! Was really helpful. Also,just wanted to check whether there is any reason behind using coconut oil for this recipe because the authentic recipe of Pongal does not include this oil.It totally changes the taste and aroma of this recipe. And mustard seeds are not used for this dish either.
Hello Suchi.
We are vegan so I used oil instead of ghee. You can use ghee or any other oil. Yes you can also skip the mustard seeds. My kids likes mustard seeds so I added up 🙂
Good to know 😊 I don’t use ghee either. I use vegetable/sunflower oil for tadka
I seem to like pongal a bit more smashed up, so that you can’t make out the dal and the rice… 🙂 That’s the beauty of this dish, right? You can make it in the consistency that you like and it would still taste great!
Pongal is my all time favourite for breakfast love the hint of spice in it, this recipe sounds so easy , quick and yum, lovely share .
This looks so inviting and perfect for breakfast.
I have only had a sweet version of Pongal so far..this Savory versions sounds flavorful..would love to give it a try some time
If a pongal dish looks anything like yours then I don’t mind having it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Superb and looks very appetizing.
Pongal is my favourite.. Love it . Your post reminds me to make it now. It has been a long time since I had it.
This pongal sounds super tempting. I can enjoy it in my every meal. Fried cashews on the top looks so attractive. Lovely share.
This is such a quick and easy-to-make recipe. It would go very well with plain curd or raita.
Show a bowl of pongal and chutney on the side to a south indian, we get all excited and happy after all its comfort food and something we have grown up eating and still enjoy. Great share and instant pot is certainly good.
Well said! Thank you Vidya:)
Thats an interesting and easy way to make pongal. It came out extremely delicious. Looks like instant pot is a must in our kitchen.
Very true! Thank you Priya:)
Yum yum! What a delicious way to make traditional recipe of Pongal. Very inviting and tempting one pot meal.
Thank you 🙏🏻
I only made savoury pongal last year and we loved it. Such an easy and delicious dish.
Thank you! I like savory one more than sweet version:)
I only recently tasted pongal on my trip to Chennai, and I loved it! Your IP version sounds great 🙂
You must make this using IP or without it:) Thank you!
I love savoury breakfasts and this bowl of spicy pongal looks so inviting and comforting. The idea of chutney on the side is making me very very hungry! 😋
Yes chutney and pongal is very good combination! Thank you 😊
Instantpot makes any dish easier, right? The spicy version of pongal sounds super delicious.
Yes definitely! Thank you 😊
Please include water amount in the recipe. I found it on the video which was 4 1/2 cups🙏🏽. I don’t have a “Pressure cooking option” so I used manual for 8 min? I will wait and see if it worked. Looking forward to more vegan recipes.
A
Thank you Alamelu. I will next time for sure 🙂 let me know if you have any doubt. Happy cooking.
This looks super tasty!! I can’t wait to give it a try! It’s all delicious ingredients 🙂
Thank you, Rosalia! hope you try this soon…
Uma this looks so delicious!!! YUM!
Thank you Sheenam!
Made thiS today for Sankranthi. turned out very good. Adding Jasmine rice instead of Sona masoori have a different flavor and taste. This recipe is a keeper.
Thank you Anu 🙂 Happy Sankranthi!