By Garima Johar
August 21, 2026
Sakkarai pongal is a traditional South Indian staple often served in festive spreads. Made with pantry staples like rice, moong dal, jaggery, and nuts, sweet pongal can be whipped up in 5 steps.
1 cup rice ½ cup moong dal 1 ½ cups jaggery 1 cup milk 3 cups water 2 tablespoons ghee ½ cup chopped cashew nuts ½ cup raisins 3-4 cardamom pods ½ teaspoon dry ginger powder A pinch of nutmeg powder
Wash and soak rice and moong dal. Drain and pressure cook with water.
Heat some ghee and roast cashew nuts and raisins. Set aside.
Sauté cardamom powder, dry ginger powder, and nutmeg powder.
Mix in cooked dal and rice to the mixture. Grate jaggery and stir it in. Let it simmer.
Pour in milk and cook till the mixture thickens. Garnish with roasted nuts and serve.