The Sweet Heart of South Indian Celebrations
Payasam is a traditional South Indian sweet dish similar to pudding or kheer. The word "Payasam" comes from the Sanskrit word "Payasa,"
which means milk. It is typically made with milk or coconut milk, a main base ingredient like rice or vermicelli, and a sweetener like sugar or jaggery.
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup vermicelli (semiya)
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3 cups milk (or coconut milk)
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1/2 cup sugar (or jaggery for a richer taste)
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2 tbsp ghee
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10 cashew nuts
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10 raisins
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1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Step-by-Step Method: Stirring Up Sweetness
1. Roast the Vermicelli
Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a pan and gently roast the vermicelli until it turns golden brown.2. Boil the Milk
Bring the milk to a gentle boil in a heavy-bottomed pot.3. Cook the Vermicelli
Add the roasted vermicelli to the boiling milk. Let it simmer until soft.4. Add Sugar and Flavor
Stir in the sugar and cardamom powder. Continue simmering until the sugar is fully dissolved.5. Fry the Nuts and Raisins
In a small pan, heat the remaining ghee and fry the cashews until golden and the raisins puff up.6. Final Touch
Add the fried nuts and raisins to the payasam. Mix well and serve warm or chilled.
Payasam is used as a special dish
Payasam is traditional South Indian sweet dish. especially in South Indian weddings, temple festivals, birthdays, housewarmings, and religious rituals
1. As a Sacred Offering (Prasadam)
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Payasam is often offered to deities during pujas and temple rituals.
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It is considered a sacred food (naivedyam) and is later distributed as prasadam to devotees.
Payasam is often offered to deities during pujas and temple rituals.
It is considered a sacred food (naivedyam) and is later distributed as prasadam to devotees.
2. In Wedding Feasts (Sadhya)
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In Kerala and Tamil Nadu weddings, payasam is a must-have item in the feast (sadhya or kalyana sappadu).
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It's usually served as the dessert, sometimes with more than one variety (e.g., parippu payasam and semiya payasam).
In Kerala and Tamil Nadu weddings, payasam is a must-have item in the feast (sadhya or kalyana sappadu).
It's usually served as the dessert, sometimes with more than one variety (e.g., parippu payasam and semiya payasam).
3. For Auspicious Beginnings
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It's common to prepare payasam during naming ceremonies, first birthdays, and housewarmings as a symbol of prosperity and joy.
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It represents sweet beginnings and blessings.
It's common to prepare payasam during naming ceremonies, first birthdays, and housewarmings as a symbol of prosperity and joy.
It represents sweet beginnings and blessings.
4. In Festival Celebrations
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Festivals like Onam, Vishu, Tamil New Year, and Krishna Jayanthi are incomplete without payasam.
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Each region or household may have its own traditional version for the occasion.
Festivals like Onam, Vishu, Tamil New Year, and Krishna Jayanthi are incomplete without payasam.
Each region or household may have its own traditional version for the occasion.
5. Symbol of Hospitality
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Serving payasam to guests is a sign of warmth, respect, and love in South Indian homes.
Serving payasam to guests is a sign of warmth, respect, and love in South Indian homes.
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