When it comes to the bond between mother and child, it all starts in the womb and continues in the physical world with food and affection. And that’s why every mother knows her child’s favorite things. Be it food, fashion or anything. For actor-turned-politician Joseph Victory Chandrashekhar, popularly known as Vijay, 51,’s mother always understood his sweet tooth, even when he was miles away for shoots. Vijay is known for his disciplined eating habits and daily routine. According to his trainer Naresh Kumar, who has worked with Vijay in films like Master (2021), the actor follows a highly disciplined lifestyle. But there is one sweet dish for which he never refused and when he was shooting in Chennai, his mother definitely sent him that dish.

What’s the one dish he can’t resist?

According to media reports, Vijay loves traditional sweets. In an appearance on a cooking show, her mother Shoba Chandrasekhar revealed that she particularly loves Sakkarai Pongal, a sweet South Indian dish. He revealed that she would often prepare it and send it to him when he was shooting in Chennai. Isn’t this a sweet and priceless sentiment?

What is Sakkarai Pongal?

It is a traditional South Indian sweet made from rice, moong dal, jaggery, ghee and cardamom. According to food historians, this dish has special significance during Thai Pongal, the harvest festival in Tamil Nadu. It is a rich and mildly spicy dish, often garnished with cashew nuts and raisins fried in ghee. Take a look at the recipe.

How to make Sakkarai Pongal

Material: 1/2 cup raw rice, 1/4 cup moong dal, 1 to 1½ cups jaggery, 3 cups water, 1/4 cup milk, 4-5 tbsp ghee, 8-10 cashews, 1 tbsp raisins, 1/2 tsp cardamom powder, and a pinch of edible camphor.Method: – First of all dry roast the moong dal until the aroma comes out. Once done, wash it with rice and then pressure cook with water and milk for 4-5 whistles. In another pan, heat the jaggery with some water until it melts. Mix this jaggery syrup in the mixture of pulses and rice and cook on low flame for 5-7 minutes. Add cardamom powder and one tablespoon ghee. Add roasted cashews and raisins and serve hot or cold.