Delicious Ven Pongal Recipe for a Hearty Meal

Ven Pongal — a french recipe (main course) with 12 ingredients. Source: edamam.com.

Medium
Updated March 20, 2026

45

Total Time (min)

2

servings

516

Calories/serving

Medium

Difficulty

Delicious Ven Pongal Recipe for a Hearty Meal

Ingredients

Servings:
2
  • 1 cup rice (preferably short-grain)
  • 1 cup yellow split moong dal
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
  • 2 tablespoons ghee (or oil for vegan option)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 10 pieces cashews (lightly toasted)
  • 2 tablespoons curry leaves (fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander (chopped for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional for tang)

Instructions

5 steps

  1. Rinse the Rice and Dal

    Thoroughly rinse the rice and moong dal under cold water until the water runs clear.

    This helps remove excess starch.
  2. Cook Rice and Dal

    In a large pot, combine rinsed rice, moong dal, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover.

    Cook until both rice and dal are soft.
  3. Prepare Tempering

    In a separate pan, heat ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, black pepper, ginger, and cashews. Sauté until fragrant.

    Do not burn the spices.
  4. Combine Mixtures

    Once the rice and dal are cooked, add the tempering mixture to the pot. Stir well to combine.

    Adjust seasoning with salt.
  5. Add Final Touches

    Stir in curry leaves and optional lemon juice. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

    Garnish with fresh coriander before serving.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Health: Sugar-Conscious, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Egg-Free

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your french meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Crusty baguette
🍽️Green salad with vinaigrette
🍽️Sautéed mushrooms

About This Dish

Delicious Ven Pongal Recipe for a Hearty Meal is a beloved dish from French cuisine. With a total preparation time of about 45 minutes, it makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

French cuisine is considered one of the world's finest culinary traditions. Known for its refinement and attention to detail, it has influenced cooking around the globe for centuries.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 12 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can substitute ghee with a neutral oil.

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Nutrition Facts

2 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories350kcal
Total Fat10gg
Sodium250mgmg
Total Carbohydrates55gg
Dietary Fiber5gg
Total Sugars2gg
Protein12gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineFrench