Aval Payasam/ Poha Kheer

For any Indian festival, the must have dessert is Payasam/ Kheer.  If any feast is planned, payasam definitely has its place. With the festive season around, I decided to post some dessert recipes for this week. Todays recipe is Aval Payasam. It is a rich, creamy pudding made with flattened rice/ Beaten rice, sweetened with Sugar and loaded with raisins and cashews. Very easy to make and a very comforting payasam. 

What are the ingredients needed?

Aval/ Poha/Flattened Rice, 1 cup (I used the thick variety)

Milk, 4 cups

Sugar, 3/4 cup- 1 cup

Cardamom, 4-5 pods

Ghee, 2 Tablespoon

Cashews & Raisins, 10-12 each

Saffron, a pinch (optional)

How it is made?

1. Powder cardamom with 2 Tablespoons of Sugar and keep it ready.
2. Fry cashew and raisin in a tablespoon of ghee and set aside.
3. Heat a tablespoon of ghee, add aval and fry it for a minute or two till it lightly changes color.
4. Now add 2 cups of milk and simmer at low flame till the aval cooks.
5. Then mix the rest of the sugar and another 2 cups of milk and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
6. Now add the powdered cardamom,a pinch of saffron, fried cashews and raisins mix well and turn off the heat.
7. Serve it warm or serve chilled as desired.

Note:

• You can increase or decrease the cashews and raisins as per your preference.
• For a variation, you can add other dry fruits and nuts too.
• Payasam thickens with time, so dilute with little milk before serving.
• I added 3/4 cup of Sugar, If you like to be more sweeter then add 1/4 cup. Adjust the sugar as per your personal taste.