Aval Payasam (Beaten Rice Pudding) and Happy Pongal 2011

Wish you all a Happy Pongal!!!!!!

It is traditional to make pudding (Payasam) for special occasions like Pongal festival. So I made this aval payasam and it came out really good. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it too.

Aval/Poha is nothing but beaten rice. It looks like dry rice flakes.

Preparation Time : 30 minutes
No of Servings : 4-5

Ingredients:

• Aval: 2 cups
• Ghee: 2 tbsp
• Condensed milk: 1/4 cup
• Milk: 3 cups
• Sugar: 1/4 cup (adjust according to your taste)
• Cardamom Powder: 1/2 tsp
• Pista (pistachio nuts), cashews, almonds and dry grapes : 1/2 cup

Method of Preparation :

1. Heat a tbsp of ghee and fry the poha/aval for couple of mins or till it become light golden brown and keep it aside.
   
2. Heat a tbsp of ghee and fry all the nuts and keep it aside.
   
3. In a wide pan add 1/4 cup of sugar and 2 tbsp of water. Bring it to boil, when it becomes dark brown add the fried poha.
4. Mix it all together and add a cup of milk. Bring it to full boil and let it sit in heat for couple of minutes.
5. Now add the condensed milk and bring it to boil.
6. Now add another cup of milk, mix it all together and let it sit in the heat for another couple of minutes.
7. Finally add the remaining milk and mix it all together, bring it to full boil till the mixture gets thick and creamy.
8. Finally garnish with fried nuts and remove from heat.
9. Serve it hot or cold.

Enjoy and Happy Pongal!