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Payasam

Discover how to make real South Indian Payasam with this step-by-step recipe. Discover the history of this popular dish and enjoy a sweet symphony of tradition that will make your taste senses sing.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Payasam
Servings: 4
Calories: 300kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-bottomed pan
  • 1 Ladle
  • 1 Mixing bowls
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • - 1 cup Basmati rice
  • - 1 cup split green gram moong dal
  • - 1 cup jaggery grated
  • - 1 cup coconut milk
  • - 1 cup milk
  • - 1/2 cup ghee
  • - 1/4 cup cashews chopped
  • - 1/4 cup raisins
  • - 4-5 cardamom pods crushed
  • - A pinch of saffron strands
  • - A pinch of salt

Notes

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Rinse and Soak
- Rinse 1 cup Basmati rice completely. Soak it in water for fifteen minutes. Simultaneously, soak 1 cup of split green gram (moong dal) in water.
Step 2: Step 2: Cook Rice and Dal
In a heavy-bottomed pan, simmer soaked rice and dal in 4 cups of water until soft and mushy. This could take about 20-25 minutes on medium heat. Mash them thoroughly and set aside.
Step 3: Make Jaggery Syrup
- In a separate pan, heat 1 cup grated jaggery with 1/2 cup water. Strain the mixture to remove any contaminants before adding it to the cooked rice and dal.
Step 4: Add Coconut milk
Combine 1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup ordinary milk in the mixture. Stir well and simmer for a further 10 minutes to enable the flavors to mingle.
Step 5:  Tempering with Ghee and Nuts
Ghee and Nut Tempering: Heat 1/2 cup ghee in a small pan. Sauté chopped cashews and raisins till golden brown. Combine this tempering with the Payasam mixture.
 
Step 6: Flavor Infusion: 
Crush 4-5 cardamom pods and add to Payasam. For a delicious flavor balance, infuse the meal with a pinch of saffron strands and a dash of salt.
 
Step 7: Final Simmer
- Finish by simmering the Payasam on low heat for 10 minutes to thicken and absorb the rich flavors.
 
 
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy 
- Once the Payasam is creamy, remove from heat. Serve it warm in bowls and enjoy the delicious combination of textures and flavors.