Wash and drain the ½ cup Rice and ½ cup moong dal. Let them stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
Heat 3 tablespoon Ghee in the pressure cooker and fry the 6-7 Cashew Nuts on low flame. Drain and keep aside.
Making the Tempering:
On low flame, add 3-4 Black pepper, 3-4 Cloves and 1 inch cinnamon stick in the same pan quickly.
When they splutter, add the ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds. Add Curry leaves,2-3 dried red chillies, ¼ teaspoon Asafoetida Powder and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder. If using, add the 1 tablespoon Ginger, either chopped finely or grated.
Cooking the Khara Pongal:
Add the drained rice and dal and stir fry for 4-5 minutes till the rice becomes aromatic.
Add 5 cups Water and Salt and raise the flame.
Check the seasonings, close the pressure cooker lid, and cook for 4-5 whistles.
Let the pressure drop naturally, and then open the cooker.
On opening the Pressure cooker:
Mix and mash the Huggi.
If there is extra water, it will be absorbed by the Huggi.
If the Huggi feels dry, add ½ cup water and mash as you cook on low flame.
Top with clarified butter and fried cashew nuts to serve with Gojju.
Method for Gojju:
Prepping
Soak Tamarind. Let it stand for a few minutes while you gather the other ingredients. Then, extract the juice and set it aside.
Add the 2 tablespoon rice flour and ½ cup water to a bowl, whisk well to remove lumps, and set aside.
Making the Tempering:
Heat 1 tablespoon Ghee in a wok, lower the flame and add ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds.
Once the spluttering stops, add ¼ teaspoon Asafoetida Powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder,1-2 springs Curry leaves and 2 dried red chillies to the tempering.
Add the tamarind paste, 3 tablespoon Jaggery, Salt , 1 teaspoon rasam powder,1 tablespoon red chilli powder and 3 cups Water.
Bringing the Curry together:
Bring to a rolling boil and adjust the seasonings. The curry should be sweet and sour.
When ready to serve, stir the water and rice flour mixture quickly. Then, add it to the boiling curry, stirring constantly.