Kalkandu Pongal / Sugar Candy pongal

Ingredients

Raw rice -1/2cup

Moong dal - 2 tablespoons

Kalkandu/Sugar candy - 1/4cup

Sugar -1/4 cup 

(Adding sugar is optional, you can make it only with kalkandu, in that case add 1/2 cup of sugar candy or adjust to your taste.)

Elaichi-2

Cashews and raisins - handful 

Milk-1/4cup 

Ghee - 3 tablespoons

Method

1.Wash and soak the rice for half an hour.

Dry roast the moong dal until it emanates a nice aroma. 

Combine the rice and roasted dal in a pressure cooker. Add 2 cups of water and cook for 3 whistles.

Open the cooker after the pressure has gone, add the milk and mash the pongal. 

2 & 3. Add the kalkandu and sugar, and put the cooker back on the stove. 

4. Keep the heat low and stir the pongal adding 2 tablespoons of ghee in 2 intervals.

5. Fry the cashews and raisins in the remaining tablespoon of ghee.

6. Add the roasted cashew-raisin and powdered elaichi to the pongal and mix everything nicely.

Kalkandu Pongal / Sugar Candy Pongal is ready. Enjoy warm or cold.