Popeye Pongal - Broken Wheat, Green gram dal and Spinach dish

POPEYE PONGAL
Years ago my kids were addicted to cartoons and they especially loved to watch Popeye The Sailor Man. Often I have persuaded them to eat spinach by promising them that they would gain 'muscles' similar to their hero who emptied a whole can of spinach into his mouth and gained 'strength' to thrash the baddies!  Broken Wheat, Green gram dal and Spinach (Popeye's tonic for instant strength !) cooked together results in a deliciously mushy Pongal and is  named after my children's childhood hero Popeye!



INGREDIENTS


Bansi Broken Wheat - 1/2 cup
Green gram dal - 1/2 cup
Spinach/ Palak - 1 bunch
Salt - 1 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - 1 pinch
Pepper (Slightly crushed) - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Fresh coconut slivers or cashew nuts - 2 tbsps
Green chilly (Slit) - 1
Ginger (Slivered) - 1 tbsp
Curry leaves - a few
Oil - 2 tbsps
Ghee - 2 tbsps
METHOD
1. Dry roast green gram dal until it emanates a pleasant aroma.
2. Wash and blanch the spinach and allow to cool.
3. Blend the spinach into a smooth puree using a mixer.
4. Wash broken wheat and roasted green gram dal together.
5. Add 1 1/2 cups of water, salt , asafoetida and the spinach puree.
6. Pressure cook until it gives out three whistles and switch off flame.
7. Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a kadai and splutter the slightly crushed pepper.
8. As soon as it pops add cumin seeds followed by coconut slivers/ cashew nuts.
9. When the nuts turn golden in colour add green chilly, ginger and curry leaves.
10. Add the cooked Pongal to the seasoning and stir well.
11. Finally add ghee and switch off flame.



Kids are sure to enjoy Popeye Pongal when they hear about Muscle Man Popeye who is still going strong at 90 !

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