Thengai arisi thirukannamudhu (payasam is called as thirukannamudhu in Iyengar homes) or payasam is the most common and traditional payasam made in brahmin homes for all festive occasions. Today being Varalakshmi Pooja, I made this tasty dessert. It is very simple and nutritious made with rice, coconut, and jaggery.
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
Coconut - 2 tbsp, shredded
Rice - 2 tbsp
Cardamom - 2
Jaggery - 4 tbsp
Water - 1 and 1/2 cup
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Cashews - 5 or 6
Raisins - 1 tbsp
Method
Soak rice in 1/3 cup water for 15 - 20 mins. Grind rice with coconut and cardamom to a coarse consistency.
Transfer this to a heavy-bottomed vessel and add a cup of water and heat. Keep in a low flame as it will thicken and may start to scald at the bottom. Stir often. If it is too thick, add 1/4 cup of water.
Once the rice is completely cooked, add jaggery and continue to cook till all of it dissolves.
Simmer for a couple of minutes and take it off the flame. This may take about 10 - 15 min.
Heat a tbsp of ghee in a pan, add cashews and raisins and fry till golden brown. Add it to the payasam. Yummy delicious thengai arisi payasam is ready.
Tips
This makes a good quantity and hence easy to make for a crowd.
Make sure to cook in a low flame with stirring else will burn and ruin the taste.
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