Cracked wheat Pongal :Instant Pot recipe

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Besides blogging my another passion is Painting. I’m a self learner and work with Acrylics and watercolors. I have somewhat green thumb too and also love to do simple diy projects. Thats the list of my hobbies:-). I Love to grow fresh veggies that goes into cooking.  Do check my garden adventures post where I share tips and tricks of growing Veggies, flowers and fruits. 

And if you are interested, check out my Diy breakfast bench cushion project on this blog. This is my fav place at home where we sit and have our daily meals and friendly chats. I get lot of compliments for this project.

Anyway In the process of decorating my home, I have been working on paintings in my free time. Today is one such day I wanted to finish a floral painting. So I planned to spent less time cooking lunch and more time Painting. And IP came to rescue. 

Cracked wheat Pongal is a simple, nutritious recipe where Cracked wheat and moong dal (Split skinned green gram) are cooked together with spices and Ghee. Te recipe is a medley of healthy ingredients. If you are a vegan replace Ghee with oil. It’s healthy and rich in Protein , fiber, healthy fats. The ginger and black pepper aids in digestion and remedy for winter colds. 

I made this recipe in Instant pot and it was ready in no time. I love my 6 Qt Instant Pot . The meals are ready with no baby sitting. I also use delay timer a lot. It’s my most favorite option. Finish up the prep, set up delay timer. By the time we are back from shopping the food/Rice is ready. 

Do check more Instant pot recipes on this blog. Instant pot chai is a life saver if you are a busy Mom or working Mom. Also check day to day simple veggie preparations that can be cooked in no time. 

Also check my Peanut chutney, tomato chutney recipes that goes well with Pongal.

Total time:

30 minutes

Servings:

3-4

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Ghee /Oil 
• 1 Cup Cracked Wheat (I used #1, fine variety) 
• 1/2 Cup Moong Dal
• 4 Cups water 
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

 Seasonings:

• 1 tsp  Cumin Seeds 
• 1 tsp Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp black pepper corn powder or adjust 
• Few curry leaves 
• 2 inch ginger chopped finely or crushed 
• 2-3 tbsp Cashews optionally 

Cracked wheat Pongal Recipe

1. Clean 1/2 cup Moong dal with water. Keep aside.
2. Press Saute button on IP, add ingredients mentioned under 'seasonings'. Once seeds splutter, cashews fried,  add 1 cup Cracked wheat, 1/2 cup Moong dal, 4 cups water, salt to taste, 1/2 tsp turmeric. 
3. I used Cracked wheat #1. But any size would work. Ultimately size of wheat defines texture. With bigger grain it might need a minute extra cooking.So keep that in mind.
4. Mix well. 
5. Pressure cook 5 minutes, Naural pressure release for 5 minutes (NPR), manual Pressure release after 5 minutes. 
6. Add water to adjust consistency. Heat if needed by pressing Saute button. Rava Pongal tastes better hot and thin consistency. But suit yourself. 
7. Serve it as it is or with pickle, yogurt. We enjoyed it with spicy Mango pickle.
   

I have added extra seasoning on top. If you would like to do it, just heat tbsp Ghee/oil in a pan , add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and when they splutter add to Pongal.

Tips:

• You can adjust amount of Pepper powder to your liking. You can add green chillies for more spice.