Bhogi Pongal 2024: Traditional South Indian Delights

Bhogi Pongal 2024 is just around the corner, and the air is filled with anticipation for the vibrant celebration of Makar Sankranti. This auspicious festival, known by various names such as Pongal, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Uttarayan, is observed with diverse customs and ceremonies across the country. In South India, the Pongal celebrations extend for four days, with the first day dedicated to Bhogi Pongal.

The culmination of the Tamil Calendar’s Margazhi month, Bhogi Pongal is a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Lord Indiran, revered as the “God for rain.” It symbolizes the appreciation for the bountiful rain that facilitates a successful harvest. The festival is marked by lighting bonfires, relishing seasonal spicy delicacies, and adorning homes with exquisite flower arrangements.

As we immerse ourselves in the essence of Bhogi Pongal 2024, here are some delightful traditional recipes to add a burst of flavor to your celebration:

1. Ven Pongal

Recipe by Chef Tarla Dalal

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup yellow moong dal (split yellow gram)
• 1/2 cup rice (chawal)
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tsp finely chopped ginger (adrak)
• Salt to taste
• 1 1/2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tbsp broken cashew nut (kaju)
• 1 tsp coarsely crushed peppercorns (kalimirch)
• 10 curry leaves (kadi patta)

Method:

1. Dry roast yellow moong dal in a small non-stick pan.
2. Wash the roasted dal and rice, then pressure cook with asafoetida, cumin seeds, ginger, salt, and water.
3. Temper with ghee, cumin seeds, cashewnuts, peppercorns, and curry leaves.
4. Mix the tempering with the dal-rice mixture and serve hot with ghee.

2. Thayir Sadam

Recipe by Chef Kunal Kapur

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled Rice
• 1½ cups Curd
• 1½ tbsp chopped Ginger
• 2 chopped Green Chili
• ½ cup grated Carrot
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 2-3 Dry red chili
• 2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 2 tsp Urad dal
• ¼ tsp Asafoetida
• Handful of Curry leaves
• A dash of Milk
• Salt to taste
• Handful of chopped Coriander

Method:

1. Mix boiled rice with curd, ginger, green chilies, and grated carrot.
2. Temper with ghee, dry red chilies, mustard seeds, urad dal, asafoetida, and curry leaves.
3. Mash the mixture well, add milk if needed, and serve with pickle and appalam.

3. Beans Poriyal

Recipe by Chef Tarla Dalal

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 1 dry pandi chilli, broken
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
• 2 1/2 cups chopped french beans
• Salt to taste
• 6 to 7 curry leaves
• 1/4 cup freshly grated coconut

Method:

1. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, pandi chili, green chillies, asafoetida, and onions. Sauté.
2. Add french beans, salt, and water. Cover and cook until beans are tender.
3. Add curry leaves, coconut, and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve hot.

4. Medu Vada

Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Ingredients:

• 1 cup split skinless black gram (dhuli urad dal), soaked
• 5-6 curry leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coconut
• 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped
• Crushed black peppercorns to taste
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep-frying
• Coconut chutney for serving

Method:

1. Blend soaked black gram into a thick batter. Add curry leaves, coconut, green chillies, peppercorns, and salt.
2. Deep-fry spoonfuls of batter until golden brown.
3. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

5. Parippu Payasam

Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Ingredients:

• 1 cup split skinless green gram (dhuli moong dal/parpu)
• 1 cup chopped jaggery
• 2 tbsp ghee
• ½ cup thinly sliced fresh coconut
• 10-15 cashew nuts
• ¼ cup raisins (khishmish)
• ¼ tsp green cardamom powder
• 1 cup coconut milk

Method:

1. Roast green gram and pressure cook with water.
2. Make jaggery syrup. Sauté coconut, cashews, and raisins in ghee.
3. Mix jaggery syrup, mashed green gram, cardamom powder, and coconut milk. Cook until it boils.
4. Add coconut-nuts mixture, mix well, and serve warm.

These recipes promise to make your Bhogi Pongal celebration a gastronomic delight, embracing the rich culinary traditions of South India. May your festivities be filled with joy, warmth, and the delicious aroma of these traditional dishes. Happy Bhogi Pongal 2024!

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