Kodo Millet also known as Varagu or kodra is one of the popular and nutritious millet. Varagu Pongal is a delicious and nutritious South Indian dish made with varagu (kodo millet), lentils, and seasoned with Indian spices. It’s a healthy alternative to traditional rice pongal. Here’s a simple recipe for Varagu Pongal. Do check here for Health Benefits of Kodo Millet.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup varagu (kodo millet)
- 1/4 cup split yellow moong dal (lentils)
- 1 tablespoon ghee (A2 Desi Cow Ghee)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, crushed
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 2 tablespoons cashews (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 4-5 cups water
Instructions:
- Rinse and Soak:
- Rinse varagu and moong dal under running water.
- Soak them together in water for about 30 minutes.
- Cooking:
- In a pressure cooker, add soaked varagu, moong dal, water, and a pinch of salt.
- Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles or until both varagu and dal are well-cooked and mushy.
- Tempering:
- Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, crushed black pepper, grated ginger, chopped green chili, hing (asafoetida), and curry leaves. Sauté for a minute until the spices release their aroma.
- Cashews:
- Add cashews to the tempering and fry until they turn golden brown.
- Combine:
- Once the pressure is released from the cooker, open it and mash the cooked varagu and dal mixture well.
- Tempering & Mixing:
- Add the prepared tempering to the mashed varagu and dal mixture. Mix everything well.
- Adjust Seasoning:
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Serve:
- Varagu Pongal is ready to be served. Enjoy it hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
This Kodo Millet / Varagu Pongal recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional rice pongal and is suitable for those looking to include millets in their diet. Feel free to customize the recipe by adding vegetables like carrots or peas for added nutrition and flavor.
