Shakkara (Sweet) Pongal

This is a classic sweet dish made for many south Indian festivals and poojas. It is of course traditionally made during the festival of Pongal. Do not skimp on the ghee here. It is essential for the richness, flavour, and texture.

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 605 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup cashews
• 1 cup basmati rice
• ½ cup ghee (clarified butter)
• ½ cup split yellow lentils (moong dal)
• 1 cup jaggery (palm sugar)
• 1 pinch edible camphor (kacha karpoor)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt the ghee in a large skillet over medium heat; fry the cashews and raisins in the melted ghee until the cashews are brown and the raisins begin to plump, about 5 minutes. Remove the cashews and raisins from the skillet and set aside. Add the lentils to the skillet and fry in the ghee until fragrant; stir the rice, milk, jaggery, and sugar into the lentils. Reduce heat to low and cook until the rice is tender, adding water as needed to keep moist, about 30 minutes. Mix the cashews, raisins, cardamom, and edible camphor into the mixture to serve.