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Cook Time :25 Min | Servings : 2 persons

Happy Tamil New year Friends !!
I was thinking to do something sweet on the Tamil New year day but wasn’t sure what to do. Suddenly got reminded of the rock sugar which I recently brought from Indian groceries and got this recipe from my MIL. She was telling me that this would taste like halwa as we add more milk and ghee. Trust me, they tasted really like halwa !!! I added more milk than water, also the ghee improved it’s taste.
Rock Sugar Pongal / Kalkandu Pongal
I don’t remember a special occasion on when this is prepared at our houses, but these days Kalkandu pongal is served in marriages at my palce for dinner.

Rock Sugar Pongal / Kalkandu Pongal
Some people don’t add milk and prepare just with water, it depends on how you like and milk can be skipped. Of course cooking rice in milk enhances the taste. Some add orange food color or saffron to enhance the look, but I made it plain with no extras. Whatsoever, we really enjoyed this on this new year occasion !!

Ingredients :
Rock Sugar 1/2cup
Ghee 2 tbsp
Raisins 5 nos
Cashew nuts 10 nos
Cardamom Powder 1 tsp
To Pressure Cook:
Raw Rice 1/2 cup
Milk 1 1/2 cup cup
Water 1 cup
Directions:
  1. Step 1

    Soak rice in water for 10 min and pressure cook with the milk and water for 3 whistles. Fry cashews and raisins in ghee and keep it aside.

  2. Step 2

    After the pressure is released mash the rice with the spatula and transfer it to a non-stick pan. Add the rock sugar, ghee and cardamom and mix well till the sugar is dissolved and combined well with the rice. After the sugar is dissolved, mix well for some more minutes till the rice would doesnt stick to the pan and rolled up easily. Add the cashews and raisins.

Tips :
  • Instead of pressure cooked rice, rice can be cooked in a vessel and the rock sugar can be added at the end nd mixed well with the other ingredients.
  • Saffron can also be added to get a slight golden color.
  • Pinch of orange food color can be added to get nice color.

(*) Recipe from my Mother-in-law.