Nei Payasam Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw rice
- 1 cup jaggery, grated
- 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/2 cup coconut pieces, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cashew nuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 4-5 cardamom pods, crushed
- A pinch of salt
- 4 cups milk
- Water
Instructions:
1. Rinse and Soak:
- Rinse the raw rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 30 minutes.
2. Cook Rice:
- In a pot, cook the soaked rice with enough water until it becomes soft and mushy. Mash the rice well.
3. Prepare Jaggery Syrup:
- In a separate pan, melt the grated jaggery with a little water to make a syrup. Strain to remove impurities.
4. Combine Rice and Jaggery Syrup:
- Add the jaggery syrup to the cooked rice. Mix well and let it simmer until the mixture thickens.
5. Add Ghee:
- In another pan, heat ghee. Fry the thinly sliced coconut pieces until they are golden brown. Remove the coconut slices and set them aside.
- In the same pan, fry cashew nuts and raisins until they are golden. Set aside.
6. Add Milk:
- Add the milk to the rice-jaggery mixture. Stir continuously and let it simmer until the payasam thickens to your desired consistency.
7. Add Fried Ingredients:
- Add the fried coconut slices, cashew nuts, raisins, crushed cardamom pods, and a pinch of salt to the payasam. Mix well.
8. Final Simmer:
- Allow the payasam to simmer for a few more minutes, ensuring it reaches a creamy consistency. Adjust sweetness if needed.
9. Serve:
- Remove from heat and serve the Nei Payasam warm.
10. Enjoy:
- Enjoy this rich and aromatic Kerala dessert that combines the goodness of rice, jaggery, and coconut with the fragrant touch of cardamom.
Nei Payasam is often made during festivals and special occasions in Kerala. Its velvety texture and the nutty aroma of ghee and coconut make it a delightful treat.