Baragu /Prosso Millet Sakkaare /Chakkara Pongal.

Huggi / ಹುಗ್ಗಿ /Shakkara /chakkara  Pongal  is a sweet dish with Rice and Moong dal.

Huggi is normally prepared during the month of Dhanurmasa, that falls in between mid of December to mid January. This month is chill ( Cold ) winter. So as the food helps to keep our body warm and healthy. Eating dals is a good option and our Ancestors knew to take care them selves by adopting the good food habits.

Huggi is known as pongal in some parts of India. The sweet huggi is known as Shakkara/Chakkara pongal and is very famous in Tamil Nadu /Andra Pradesh. Though they use jaggery  This Pongal is known as Shakkara/Chakkara ( Sugar ) Pongal. They do not use coconut here or may be some ghee fried coconut pieces to be added. As you desired.

As I said this Pongal is prepared with Raw Roice and Moong dal. 

Here I have tried using Prosso Millet/Baragu instead of rice and Moong dal. Shakkara Pongal came out well and I can say it is delicious.

Baragu /Prosso Millet is one of the grain in Millet family. Millet is a healthy grain which has no gluten and it helps to control blood pressure and good for people who suffer from diabetic. It is full of fiber and keeps you full for a long time. Millet helps to control our cholesterol level.

I have used Prosso Millet / baragu, organic joni jaggery (jaggery in liquid form ).

December is here and the month of Dhanurmasa starts from 15th of this month and it ends on 15 of January. That day is celebrated as Sankranthi/Pongal. Sweet Pongal is special on that day to celebrate the festival. 

Let us see the recipe Now:

Things Needed :

Prosso Millet : 1/2 Cup

Moong Dal : 1/4 Cup 

Jaggery : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Ghee : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Cardamom : 3 to 4 Pods

Cashews and Raisins : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and drain the water of moong dal and Prosso Millet. No need to soak them in water. 

2. Keep a pan and put washed Prosso Millet and moond dal and dry roast. 

3. Put dry roasted prosso millet and moond dal to a bowl. 

4. Add 1 Cup of water and pressure cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Let it cool. Powder cardamom and keep it aside.

5. Keep  a pan on the fire and put cooked prosso millet and moong dal. Mix it well.

6. Add jaggery and mix it again. Add a tablespoon of ghee. Mix it well and let it cook on low flame.

7. Add one more tablespoon of ghee and mix it slowly. Let it cook for 2 minutes. 

8. Stir in between. Add powdered cardamom and mix it. Stir it slowly and let it get thick.

 Shift the ready pongal to a serving dish.

9. Add ghee fried cashews and raisins to Baragu/Prosso Millet Shakkara /Chakkara Pongal and serve.

Notes :

Dry roasting prosso millet and moond dal adds to the taste. It does not become too soft. Taste good.

Adding more /less ghee is optional. Use of any type of jaggery is optional. Adding 1 or two cloves powder to pongal adds to the taste. I have used very little quantity of Prosso Millet and moong dal. You can double the quantity if you are preparing it for more people. 

The measurement is like 

1 Cup of Prosso Millet :

1/2 Cup of Moong dal. 

You can use the same quantity of each grain. ( Optional ).

Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 2 to 3.

Coconut Guli Appa / Pan Dosa

Kaayi dosa/Banalu dosa /Pan dosa is one of the traditional dosa done in South Canara / Malenadu/ Udupi . This is fluffy, soft and yummy dosa. I have tried Guli Appa with the same batter.

South Canara people use lots of coconut in their cooking. It is may be because coconut is grown plenty in this region.
Let us see some benefits of eating Coconut.
Coconut is one of the healthy nut/fruit. It is loaded with lots of medicinal value also. Coconut is full of fiber. Coconut oil is the best oil to use for our cooking. Coconut oil is good for our hair and skin. Coconut provides energy and it helps in controlling our cholesterol level. It has good anti aging qualities. It is a good antibiotic properties. It is rich in anti inflammation properties. Coconut is rich in copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and calcium.
Let us see the recipe Now :
I have used raw rice, a little urid dal and moong dal, flattened rice and methi seeds. Some coonut is used and it adds to the aroma of the dosa.
Kayi Dosa is one of the special dish of Udupi /South Canara. We use coconut and it is called coconut dosa.

Things Needed :

Raw Rice : 2 Cups
Urid dal : 2 Tablespoons
Moong Dal : 1 Tablespoon
Fresh grated coconut : 1 Cup / 4 to 5 tablespoons
Avalakki /Aval /Poha /Flattened Rice : 3 Tablespoons
Methi Seeds /Fenugrik seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Oil /Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Guli Appa Pan

Method :

1. Wash and soak raw rice, moong dal, urid dal and methi seeds for 2 to 3 hours. Soak avalakki/flattened rice separately.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.

3. Drain water from soaked rice, methi seeds,  dals and grind it with coconut and flattened rrice/avalakki.

4. Add required water. ( Little by little ). Grind it nicely till paste. Remove the batter from mixi jar and put it in a big bowl. Add required salt and mix it well.  Keep it aside. Let it rest for overnight.
5. Let it ferment over night or 6 to 8 hours.

6. In the morning Mix the batter nicely and  get ready to prepare guli appa and pan prepared dosa.
7. Keep Guli appa pan on the fire. Let it get hot. Add little oil to each guli /deep.

8. Now take a small ladle and put the batter to each guli/ deeper part. Cook on medium and low flame.

9. Cook on both sides and remove it from the pan. Repeat the same and prepare remaining guli appa.

Note :

No need to add more avalakki/poha.  Do not add much water while grinding. It should be like idli batter. Adding coconut adds to the taste and softness of guli appa. You can prepare Banagalu/pan dosas./ Set dosas with the same batter. Use of ghee instead of oil is optional.
Time : Soaking time 3 Hours + Fermentation 5 to 6 hours and Guli appa preparation 30 Minutes.
Serves : As you Desired.
Pan dosa :
Use the same batter and prepare Pan dosas..These are known as Kayi/Coconut Dosa in South Canara/Udupi /My doddamma's house.