Pongal is a popular South Indian dish made from rice and split yellow moong dal (lentils). It is typically served as a breakfast dish and is often flavored with ghee, cumin seeds, ginger, and green chilies. Pongal is often accompanied by a variety of side dishes, such as chutneys, sambar, and fried snacks.
Here’s a recipe for a simple and delicious side dish to serve with pongal:
Tomato Chutney:
Ingredients:
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 green chili, chopped
- 1 tsp tamarind paste
- 1 tsp jaggery (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp oil
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp urad dal (optional)
- 10 curry leaves
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and wait until they start to pop.
- Add urad dal (if using) to the pan and cook until it turns golden brown.
- Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until it turns translucent.
- Add the minced garlic, chopped green chili, and chopped tomatoes to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
- Add the tamarind paste, jaggery, salt, and curry leaves to the pan and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Let the chutney cool slightly and then blend to a smooth consistency.
- Serve the tomato chutney as a side dish with pongal.
Enjoy your pongal with tomato chutney!
