VENPONGAL and KOTSU

This is a very famous tiffin item of Tamilnadu other than idly ,sambar.Ven pongal is very much similar to North India's kichadi.Its quick and easy to prepare too.

INGREDIENTS for VEN PONGAL:
Raw rice-1 cup
Moong dal- 1/2 cup
Ginger- 1 tbs chopped
Curry leaf-for seasoning
Pepper-1 tbs(according to taste)
Jeera- 1 tbs
Asefotida-1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Oil/Ghee-1 tbs
Cashew-1 tbs chopped
Salt - to taste

METHOD:
1)Heat pan and dry roast moong dal for couple of minutes(don't let it change colour.)
2)Add turmeric powder,salt to rice and dal and pressure cook with 3 cup water .
3)Heat oil/ ghee in pan and add slightly ground pepper(If you have children its advisable to add whole pepper) and jeera.Add asefotida, cashew, chopped ginger and curry leaves.
4)Add the cooked rice and mix well(mashing the rice)
Serve with Kotsu
NOTE:Some times to make it quick I season the rice- dal and cook everything together. That too tastes really good with the flavour of pepper,jeera and ginger.
INGREDIENTS FOR KOTSU:
Tur dal- 1 cup
Onion- 1
Tomato-1
Brinjal-2
Asefotida-1/4 tsp
Salt- to taste
Sambar powder- to taste
Turemeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Mustard- for seasoning
Oil
Curry leaves- for seasoning
Coriander leaves- for seasoning
METHOD:
1)Pressure cook dal.
2)Chop onion and tomatoes finely.
3)Chop brinjal.
4)Heat oil and season with mustard,asfetodia,curry leaves.
5)Add onions and saute till pink.
6)Add tomatoes and add salt .Saute well.
7)Add brinjal and saute.
8)Add water ,turmeric powder, sambar powder and cooked dal.
9)Cook till brinjals are cooked.
10)Garnish with coriander and serve with Ven pongal
Note: To make it more easier pressure cook dal along with above vegetables and powders.This is more tastier than the above said method. My mom used to call this somberi(lazy) sambar... hahaha..