Ven Pongal (Savory Rice and Lentil Porridge)

Pongal is a traditional South Indian dish, particularly popular in Tamil Nadu. There are two main varieties: sweet pongal (sakkarai pongal) and savory pongal (ven pongal).

Chocolate chip cookies on a cooling rack

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix-ins

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Note on Ingredients:

For best results, use room temperature eggs and butter.

Instructions

Preparation

  1. Preheat Oven
    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars
    In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients
    Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Mix and Bake

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Combine Wet and Dry
    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  3. Add Mix-ins
    Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts (if using).
  4. Form Cookies
    Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  5. Bake
    Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone.
  6. Cool
    Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chef's Tips

For Perfect Results

  • For chewier cookies, reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
  • Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
  • Use a mix of chocolate chip varieties (milk, semi-sweet, dark) for more complex flavor.
COMPANY
Contact