Palada Payasam (Ada Payasam)

Ingredients

• Rice ada (small) - 1/2 cup
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Cardamom - 2 tsp
• Milk - 1 1/2 l
• Water - 250 ml
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Raisins - 6 whole

Instructions

1. 1Bring a pot of water to a boil, wash the rice ada, and soak it in the boiling water for 20 minutes; drain and set aside.
2. 2Boil the milk and set it aside.
3. 3In a pressure cooker, combine 1/2 l milk and 1/4 l water, add the soaked ada, close the cooker, and cook on medium flame for one whistle until the ada is soft.
4. 4Transfer the cooked ada into a heavy-bottomed pan and add the boiled milk you set aside, stirring to combine.
5. 5Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the sugar (1 cup) and stir until it dissolves.
6. 6Continue cooking and stirring; once the payasam thickens and the color begins to change, stir in the cardamom (2 tsp).
7. 7Keep stirring until the mixture reduces to 3/4 and takes on a light pink color, then remove from the heat.
8. 8In a small pan, heat the ghee, fry the raisins until they plump and darken slightly, and spoon them over the payasam as a garnish.
9. 9If you want a deeper pink color, dissolve 1 tbsp sugar with a little water in a heavy pan, bring it to a boil and allow it to turn golden brown, then pour the caramel into the payasam and stir well.
10. 10Serve the ada payasam hot or chilled; optionally top with a few roasted cashews for extra crunch.