Paal Payasam - Rice cooked low and slow in milk until it becomes thick, rich and creamier. A sweet for any Indian occasions.
Fridays are considered auspicious by Hindus and they pray to Goddess Shakti (or her other incarnations). Thai Velli (Friday) and Aadi Velli are very significant. In all four days (Fridays) of the Tamil Thai month, we worship Goddess Shakthi for leading a successful life. Similarly in the Tamil month Aadi, we pray to Goddess Durga. Generally, Pooja is done at home and an offering (prasadam) is made to God. Traditionally Maavilaku Maavu is made on Thai Velli. But Payasam is a universally accepted sweet dish for any auspicious occasions.
For the second day in this Occasion week, you have a very basic and primary Payasam - Paal Payasam!
Simple and easy with just a few regular ingredients. A nectarous divine that you will lick the spoon to clean off the last bit! Traditionally rice is slowly cooked by simmering it in milk until it gets creamier and richer in taste. But you can replicate the same taste by this easy pressure cook method. This is one of the instances in which Rice cooker is a most essential and basic tool for the Indian kitchen. I just can't imagine how we could have managed without one! This is one of the very first few dishes I learned and made without a fiasco during my initial cooking days!
Paal Payasam - Rice cooked low and slow in milk. Thick, rich and creamier. A sweet for any Indian occasions.
- 3 tablespoons basmati rice
- 3 -3.5 cups milk (paal)
- ⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 7 tablespoons sugar (sakkarai)
- 1 tablespoon ghee (nei)
- 2 tablespoons coarsely broken cashews
- 1 teaspoon sliced pistachios (optiona)
- Few saffron strands (optional)
- Pressure cook rice in 1 cup water and ½ cup milk until its cooked well and mushy.
Meanwhile, bring the remaining milk to a boil.
- As soon as the pressure releases, whisk the cooked rice until it is smashed and it looks creamy. If the rice is very dry add little warm milk and mix well.
Transfer this to a kadai or a deep bottomed pan. Add cardamom powder and ½ cup of milk. Simmer it, constantly stirring it for about 15 mins. As and when it thickens, keep adding the remaining quantity milk
Then add the sugar. It will liquify and keep it on the stove for some more time until it becomes thick and creamy.
Heat another pan; add ghee and roast the cashews until they become golden brown. Garnish it with the cashews and serve it cold or warm.
Make sure the rice is cooked well and mushy. Add more water than you would for making rice and keep for extra 3-4 whistles. If the rice is not cooked properly, as soon as you add it in the milk, the grains separate and it will not amalgamate with the milk. The texture will be compromised. It is also important to keep the cooked rice without drying. Try to keep it warm and closed. Otherwise before adding it to the milk, take 2-3 tablespoon from the hot milk, liquefy the rice a little and then add it. We prefer a slightly thick payasam. So this amount of milk will yield a thick consistency If you want a thinner consistency
Adjust the sugar amount according to your taste preference. It gets thickened as it cools.
So take it off the stove depending on how much thick or thin consistency you need.
Suma Gandlur says
Love the kheer. As Harini mentioned, this is one of my mother's friday prasadams. 🙂
Savitha Ganesan says
Paal payasam looks so wonderful.love the bowl.
veena krishnakumar says
Paal Payasam looks awesome. Loved the presentation. I make this for some festivals....all time favourite
Kalyani says
Paal Payasam is an eternal fav at home, although I started making it only after my marriage. Hubby and elder one totally love it.. my daughter is looking at this post, along with me, and says its been ages since I made it (her words, not mine).. so i have my menu cut out for today, aint it ?
Kalyani
Sizzling Tastebuds
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Preeti Garg says
Paal payasam is really look amazing.. love the garnishing with finely chopped nuts.. which gives nutty texture
Manju says
One of the best food for prasadham.
Kitchen Queen says
looks delicious.
Rajani S says
This is a family favorite recipe! Appears for all functions and celebrations :). Nicely presented.
The Pumpkin Farm says
hearty looking payasam
Archana Potdar says
Love the way you have presented the payasam. Love the flavours too.
Nalini's Kitchen says
nice and delicious authentic payasam,perfect for prasadham...
Gayathri Kumar says
The payasam looks perfect for the prasadham. Very nice snap...
Srivalli says
Looks very nice Nisha...love the pictures..
Priya Suresh says
Such a creamy and droolworth paal payasam,i dont mind having a bowl.
Savitha Ganesan says
Payasam looks so inviting.My ultimate thirst quencher.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
paal payasam is my favorite payasam anytime. Such a must have for the occasions 🙂
Pavani N says
Nisha, pal Payasam looks amazing. I have a similar recipe coming up later this week. Yours looks yumm!!
Corporate to Kitchen says
I lovet he way you have presented these paysams. Lovely Texture
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi says
Lovely payasam. My MIL makes it every friday as neivedyam.
vaishali sabnani says
Payasam is basically Kheer..rt? ..oh lovely.one of the best Indian desserts , looks lovely and I like those cashews on top, we normally garnish with almonds and pistachios.
Nisha says
Yeah Vaishali. It is!