Rice Pudding

One of my favourite old time Telugu Movies is "Maaya Bazaar". A very old black and white movie and my favourite scenes is a scene which has all the items ready for a wedding feast. Here is the songs I simply love
Vivaaha Bhojanambu

And in this song there is the mention of this particular item "Chakera Pongali" and I finally made it...looks like its just a name for rice pudding . But this particular recipe calls for making a few changes and let me tell you with those changes the taste changes too. I think I am hooked onto this Chakera Pongali. You DO try it and let me know how you enjoyed it

Chakera Pongali (Sugar Rice Pudding)

Chakera Pongali

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup rice
2. 1/2 cup Urad Dal
3. 1/4 cup ghee divided
4. 1 cup sugar
5. 2 cups whole milk
6. 1 teaspoon rose water (for flavoring) or use Cardamom
7. a pinch Saffron
8. 1 tablespoon each of cashew, almonds, raisins

In a pan heat half od ghee and fry the dry fruits till golden brown. Drain and set aside. In the same ghee add the urad dal and fry until it turns light brown. Drain and pressure cook the urad dal and rice  with 2 cups of water for 3-4 whistles. After the steam escapes mash the rice and dal a bit and add milk and bring to boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. In a pan heat the reamining ghee and sugar and 2 tablespoons water and bring to a boil. Boil on low flame for 5 minutes. Add the rice and dal mix to this and stir well to combine. Add the dry fruits, saffron and any essence or cradamom and stir well and serve hot, at room temperature ot cold.
Enjoy Chakera Pongali