Indian Jaggery Rice Pudding (Vellam Payasam) Recipe
Overview:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Description:
Indulge in the rich flavors of South India with this delightful recipe for Vellam Payasam, a traditional jaggery pudding passed down through generations. ‘Vellam’ translates to ‘jaggery’ in Tamil, while ‘payasam’ refers to ‘pudding’. Jaggery, a tan-colored unrefined sugar derived from palm trees or sugar cane, imparts a distinct and robust sweetness to this dessert. The recipe is a tribute to the authentic flavors of South Indian cuisine and offers a comforting blend of creamy rice, aromatic cardamom, and crunchy cashews. Explore the depths of Indian culinary heritage with every spoonful of this velvety delight.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup medium grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 300 grams palm sugar (jaggery)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ghee
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon cashews, broken
- 1/2 tablespoon ghee (for roasting cashews)
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cook Rice: In a pot over high heat, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil. |
| 2 | Simmer Rice: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is cooked, approximately 15 minutes. |
| 3 | Add Jaggery: Uncover the pot and add palm sugar (jaggery) and 2 1/2 tablespoons of ghee. Simmer over low heat, stirring every 2 minutes. |
| 4 | Thicken Mixture: Continue simmering until the mixture thickens to the consistency of pourable custard, about 10 minutes. |
| 5 | Add Cardamom: Sprinkle cardamom powder over the pudding and mix well. |
| 6 | Roast Cashews: In a small skillet, roast broken cashews in 1/2 tablespoon of ghee until golden brown. |
| 7 | Combine: Pour the roasted cashews over the pudding and mix thoroughly. |
| 8 | Serve: Serve the Vellam Payasam immediately or refrigerate for a chilled treat. Enjoy the authentic flavors of South India! |
Tips:
- Use authentic jaggery for the best flavor. Look for it in Indian markets or specialty stores.
- Stir the pudding frequently while simmering to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust the sweetness according to your preference by adding more or less jaggery.
- For a richer taste, you can substitute some of the water with coconut milk.
- Garnish with additional roasted cashews or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 311.3
- Fat: 6.7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 16.4mg
- Sodium: 5mg
- Carbohydrates: 63.1g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 50g
- Protein: 1.2g
Enjoy the Essence of South Indian Cuisine:
Embrace the warmth and richness of South Indian flavors with this exquisite Vellam Payasam recipe. Whether enjoyed as a comforting dessert after a meal or served cold as a refreshing treat, this jaggery rice pudding is sure to captivate your taste buds with every spoonful. Dive into the culinary heritage of South India and savor the essence of tradition with this delectable delicacy.
