Rinse and wash the rice and soak for 10 minutes.
2 Cups (or) 500 gms Rice
Meanwhile, plug in an instant pot and turn the sauté mode ON.
Dry roast the moong dal for 5-8 minutes until it is fragrant and starts to turn golden brown.
1 Cup (or) 250 gms Moong dal
Press the CANCEL button and transfer the lentils to a bowl. Wash the roasted lentils and keep them aside to use later.
Press the SAUTE button again and add the oil and ghee.
1.5 (1½) Tablespoons Oil, 1.5 (1½) Tablespoons Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Once the oil is hot, fry cashews just until they start turning light brown.
12 Cashew nuts
Now add the peppercorns, cumin and fry for half a minute, stirring regularly and letting the cumin splutter.
1 Tablespoon Cumin, ¾ Tablespoon Black Peppercorn
Add ginger followed by curry leaves and the asafoetida.
1 inch (or) ½ Tablespoon Ginger, handful Curry leaves, big pinch Asafoetida
Press CANCEL button.
Drain the water from the soaked rice and add it to the pot along with the washed lentils.
2 Cups (or) 500 gms Rice, 1 Cup (or) 250 gms Moong dal
Now add water and salt and stir well. Do the taste test and add more salt if needed.
Salt, 9 Cups Water
Close the pot with its lid, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position.
Press the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL button and set the timer for 10 minutes at high pressure.
The instant pot displays ON initially and the timer countdown starts once the pressure has been built up.
Press the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL button and set the timer for 10 minutes at high pressure.
The instant pot displays ON initially and the timer countdown starts once the pressure has been built up.
Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins.
After 10 minutes, turn the pressure valve to the VENT position, wait until the pressure is released completely and the small knob next to the pressure valve drops down.
Take the lid off the pot, and stir the pongal well as the spices and oil would have settled on the top layer.