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Home » Indian Breakfast » Masala Pongal | South Indian Breakfast

Masala Pongal | South Indian Breakfast

Published: Oct 13, 2013 · Modified: May 5, 2020

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Traditional breakfast from South India, Pongal is made with rice, moong dal and spices. Healthy and comforting pongal that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

masala pongal served in a white plate

A slight variation from the regular pongal is the Masala Pongal. I experimented by adding what ever ingredients came to my mind. The final recipe was amazingly good. The best part about this pongal is you don’t need a side. Just a simple ginger or a tomato pickle will go well.

This Masala Pongal can be made in less than 30 minutes. Tastes best when eaten hot.  

More pongal recipes from the blog –

Dry Pongal recipe

Instant Pot Sweet Pongal recipe

Side dish which can be served with pongal – 

Masala Tomato curry

 Peanut tomato chutney 

Carrot Capsicum pachadi (chutney)

If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to give a star rating below. For more recipes and to see what’s cooking in my kitchen, follow me on  Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

masala pongal picture

Masala Pongal Recipe:

(Serves 3 to 4)

Ingredients:

  1. Rice – 1 cup
  2. Moong dal ( Pesara Pappu) – ½ cup
  3. chopped onion – ¼th cup
  4. Bell pepper (Capsicum)- 1 ( I used red bell pepper)
  5. Crushed black pepper corns – about ¼ th to ½ tsp
  6. Cumin seeds- 1 ½ tsp
  7. Coriander powder- ½ tsp
  8. Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
  9. Turmeric powder – ¼th tsp
  10. Slit Green chilly – 3 to 4
  11. Chopped Ginger- 1 inch
  12. Cashew nuts- about 8
  13. Few curry leaves
  14. Grated coconut- 2 tbsps
  15. Salt to taste
  16. Lemon juice to taste
  17. Oil- 2 tbsps
  18. Hing – 2 pinches
  19. Water- 2.5 cups + 1.5 cups

Procedure:

  • Wash the rice and dal. Add 2.5 cups of water and pressure cook  till soft. Don’t make it mushy. Wait till the pressure comes down.
  • In a large pan, do the seasoning by heating the oil. Add the mustard seeds and let them crackle. Add the cumin seeds, chopped ginger, green chilly, curry leaves, black pepper, turmeric powder cashews and hing. Fry for a minute.
  • Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and ¼ th tsp of salt. Saute till onion is soft.
  • Add the coriander powder and coconut. Fry for few seconds.
  • Add the 1.5 cups of water and necessary salt and bring it to a boil.
  • Now add the cooked moong dal and rice mixture. Stir gently and cook till everything comes together.
  • Finally add the lemon juice and chopped coriander leaves. and check for seasoning.
  •  Masala Pongal is ready and can be served as is or with some pickle on the side.

Please Note:

  • Depending on the kind of rice and pressure cooker you use the amount of water required to cook the rice may defer.
  • Make sure you use just quarter cup of onion, if not the onion will over power the pongal.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sushma

    January 12, 2020 at 4:17 pm

    Inspired by your blog, I prepared both Masala pongal and Sweet pongal…great going Madhu…

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      January 12, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      Thank you Sushma. Hope you enjoyed both the recipes.

      Reply
  2. Gayathri Ramanan

    October 15, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    looks tempting…love the slight twist to the regular pongal…

    Reply
  3. Yes Cook

    October 14, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    Mouthwatering.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Vidya Chandrahas

    October 14, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Delicious one pot meal..great recipe..love it.

    Reply
  5. Resna Nishad

    October 13, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Pongal looks so tasty…

    Reply
  6. Sona S

    October 14, 2013 at 12:20 am

    Pongal looks really delicious and flavorful.

    Reply
  7. Priya Anandakumar

    October 13, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Very nicely made masala pongal, love the addition of coconuts, I will try it the next time…

    Reply
  8. Priya Suresh

    October 13, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    Very interesting and inviting masala pongal.

    Reply
  9. Sathya Priya

    October 13, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    YUmmy pongal madhu.You have a very nice blog.Happy following you

    Reply
    • Madhavi K

      October 13, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      Thanks Priya!

      Reply
  10. Sapana Behl

    October 13, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    Pongal looks delicious !

    Reply

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About me

Hello there, I am Madhavi, welcome to my blog! I share vegetarian, dairy and egg recipes from India and around the world. Hope you enjoy my recipes and Happy Browsing!

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