Dates Honey Pongal, a sweet Pongal with a difference

Dates Honey Pongal is the regular sweet pongal added with dates and honey. The quantity of dates can be increased or decreased according to one's taste. Can make it as a different Pongal recipe for Aadi Pandigai, Chitra Pournami or Chithirai varuda pirappu.


Ingredients:
Raw Rice - 1 cup
Moong Dal - 1/2 cup
Milk - 2 cups
Water - 4 cups
Jaggery Powdered - 1 1/2 cups
Dates - 12 nos
Honey - 4 tbsp
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Dry Ginger powder (sukku powder) - 1 tsp
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Cinnamon Powder - 1 pinch
Cashew Nuts - 12 nos

Method:
Fry Moong dal a bit till it emits a nice aroma. Add jaggery to 1/2 cup of water and mix it thoroughly till all the jaggery dissolves. Drain it through a thin seive to remove all the impurities.

Wash rice and soak it along with Moong Dal for about 20 to 30 mins. Drain thoroughly and add it to boiling water. After adding the rice dal mixture add water and 1 tbsp of ghee. Close the cooker and pressure cook it for about a whitsle or for about 10 to 15 mins in low flame.

Let it cool, open and add jaggery water. Blend and simmer. Add chopped dates and honey and mix well. Add cardamom powder, dry ginger powder and cinnamon powder. Fry the cashewnuts in remaining ghee and add it to the Pongal.