Rice and Coconut Pudding ( தேங்காய் அரிசி பாயாஸம்)

Rice and Coconut Pudding

தேங்காய் அரிசி பாயாஸம்

This Pudding, or Payasam  ( பாயாஸம் ) as it is called in Tamil, was a regular sweet for most of the prayers at my Paternal Grand mom' place. My mother had followed suit.

There are many types of Rice Payasam with a main difference in the ingredients - one made with sugar and another with palm sugar (jaggery). Great many variations can be done based on the person' taste buds.

I made this recently for the prayers last Friday (Thai Month).

Ingredients

Raw Rice - 1/2 cup

Channa Dal - 2 tbsp.

Jaggery ( வெல்லம்  ) - 2 cups 

Milk - 2 cups

Coconut (cut into small pieces) - 4 tbsp.

Cardamom (powdered) -  1 tsp

1. Dry roast the rice and powder it coarsely in a mixie or a food processor.
2. Soak the channa dal for 30min, drain water and add to the powdered rice.
3. Add one cup of milk and 2 cups of water and pressure cook.
4. In a seperate pan, pound the jaggery, add 1 cup of water and bring it to boil. Strain to remove impurities and bring to boil again for 5 mins.
5. Add this to the boiled rice and stir well, Let it boil for 2 to 3 min. Add the remaining 1 cup of milk, stir well.
6. Fry the coconut in ghee and add together with powdered cardamom.
   
   
   Payasam is ready to be serve. The coconut pieces in this jaggery sweetened dessert has an unique and yummy taste.