Chakkra Pongali Recipe (Andhra Style Sweet Pongal)
Chakkara pongali or Sakkra pongali (Sakkra meaning-sugar or sweet) as it is commonly known as is a sweet porridge of rice & yellow moong dal. There are different ways of preparing this dish & is generally offered to God as "Naivedyam" in many South Indian houses during pooja. It is served as a prasadam in many temples of the South. Generally in temples, it is made with edible camphor to impart a nice fragrance.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup Rice
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1/3 cup Yellow Moong Dal (Split)
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1/2 cup Sugar
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(or rock candy sugar)
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1-1/2 cups Milk
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1-1/2 cups Water
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4 tablespoons Dessicated Coconut
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1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)
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4 tablespoons Ghee
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Dry Fruits
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as per preference
Instructions
Step 1
To begin making Chakkra Pongali Recipe (Andhra Style Sweet Pongal), fry the rice & moong dal together in hot ghee until they become aromatic & turn slightly brownish
Step 2
Add them in a pressure cooker, add the milk, water & cook till idone (say 3 whistles mostly)Meanwhile heat a kadai with a bit of ghee, and fry the dry fruits till done and keep aside
Step 3
Also fry the desiccated coconut in ghee in the same kadai for 4-5 minutes until it changes colour
Step 4
Once the rice mix cools down, keep it on stovetop on medium heat & add the sugar, cardamom powder & keep stirring it continuously
Step 5
You can even add a clove & a bit of crushed edible camphor for additional flavour
Step 6
The sugar should melt & the porridge should start thickening in approx 8-10 minutes on medium heat
Step 7
Once the pongali has thickened, switch off the stove & add the dry fruits & toasted coconut
Step 8
Serve Chakkra Pongali Recipe (Andhra Style Sweet Pongal) as a dessert along with a meal of Steamed rice, Pappu Charu Recipe (Lentil Soup Style Curry), Nalla Karam Podi Recipe, Beetroot Vepudu Recipe and an Elai Vadam Recipe for ann Andhra inspired meal