MTR Pongal is a 300g ready-to-eat pouch of ven pongal — rice and moong dal cooked soft with black pepper, cumin, ghee and cashews, temple-style.

Heat and eat with coconut chutney or gothsu, or just a spoon; the gentle khichdi-like dish is breakfast, comfort food and sick-day meal in one.

It is one of those staples we keep restocking because Los Angeles regulars ask for MTR Pongal by name. Find it in our ready meals aisle at Anora's Cash N Carry on Fairfax Ave.