Payasam is an Indian sweet which is very popular, simple to make and uses minimal ingredients on hand. In India it is traditional to have something sweet when we celebrate festivals and payasam is sure to make its appearance. So any occasion be it birthday or wedding anniversary payasam can be made pretty quickly.
This time the special occasion was that my friend who got married recently was visiting and she loves this sweet. So I decided to make the visit more personal by making payasam. We had a lovely time talking and tasting the payasam.
Ingredients
2 cups milk preferably whole but lower fat works too.
6 tsp sugar
1/2 cup semiya/vermicelli
1 tbsp ghee
Cashews and raisins
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Method
Heat ghee in a pan and add cashews and raisins. Fry until golden brown.
Remove from pan and add vermicelli to the same pan and fry to golden brown color. Watch carefully as it turns black easily towards the end. When you get a nice aroma of the vermicelli turn the stove off.
Next add milk and let the vermicelli cook. If the milk seems to be fully absorbed after a while just add more milk. When the vermicelli is cooked add sugar. You can add little or more based on how sweet you like the payasam to be.
Finally add the cardamom powder, roasted cashews and raisins. Saffron can be added for garnish.
Yummy payasam ready. Very easy to prepare right. My friend enjoyed it a lot.
Enjoy!
Tips
1. Having leftovers of payasam is a rare occasion but if you do it stores well in the fridge. It thickens a bit though. When ready to eat just warm it with some extra milk.
