Dhansak them the tradition of cooking meat with lentils and/or vegetables. However, tomatoes, chilies, pumpkin and potatoes are native to the Americas and were unknown in India until some time after the Portuguese (who in turn got them through trade with Spain) brought them to India in the 16th century CE. The dhansak is flavoured with a spice mixture called "dhansak masala", which is similar to "garam masala" except that the spices chosen are more aromatic and sweet rather than pungent. Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, dried ginger, coriander seed and cumin seed, as well as a pinch of asafetida, are among
Pongal (dish) Pongal (dish) Pongal is a popular rice dish, originating from the Indian subcontinent, in Sri Lanka and Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In Tamil "pongal" or in Telugu "pongu" means to " boil over" or "spill over". There are two varieties of pongal, "Chakkara Pongal" which is a sweet, and "Venn Pongal", made from clarified butter. The unqualified word "pongal" usually refers to spicy pongal, and is a common breakfast food in Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The rice boiled with milk and jaggery during the Pongal festival is called "Chakkara" "pongal" -