A collection of 15 recipes from pongal to payasam to kesari to sambar and chutneys to celebrate Pongal and Sankranti.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Pongal!
Pongal is a southern Indian festival that is on the full moon day in the month of January. It is usually on the 14th or 15th of January depending on the year. The sun transitions to the northern hemisphere for the next six months starting on this day and the days start to get longer. It is also the end of the farming season and is celebrated as a harvest festival. Basically, it is to give thanks to the sun for supporting life on this planet.
Even though the actual significance of this festival is being forgotten now, it stands more for a time when friends and family get together and celebrate with lots of good food, fun and games. Where ever there is good food, we are there! 
Here is a collection of recipes I have put together that will help you celebrate this festival. Even if you don’t celebrate, there are some real winners here in this collection, so go ahead and give it a try!
Pongal Recipes
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- Sakkarai Pongal – Rice sweetened with Jaggery and scented with Cardamom
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- Ven Pongal – Rice and Moong Dal Breakfast Porridge
Payasam and Kesari Recipes
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- Sooji Halwa–Sweet Semolina Pudding
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- Mango Kesari – Mango and Semolina Pudding
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- Polenta Kesari ~ Indian Style Polenta Sweet Pudding | Gluten Free
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- Carrot Semiya Payasam – Carrot Vermicelli Pudding
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- Pal Payasam – Rice and Milk Pudding
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- Gothambu Payasam | Broken Wheat Coconut Milk Pudding with Jaggery
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- Aval Payasam | Rice Flakes Pudding with Coconut Milk and Jaggery
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- Easy 20 minute Unniappam ~ Deep Fried Rice Flour Pancakes Sweetened with Jaggery
Sambar and Chutneys
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- Tiffin Sambar | Lentil and Tamarind Stew with Vegetables
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- Varutharacha Sambar | Mixed Vegetables and Lentils in a Spiced Tamarind Sauce
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- Coconut Chutney with Pearl Onions
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- Onion Tomato Chutney
Other Savory Snacks
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- Kara Sev – Fried Spiced Chickpea Flour Sticks
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- Vazhakka Bajji – Raw Banana Fritters
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