Creamy Payasam Vermicelli Pudding Food

VERMICELLI PAYASAM

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, heat 1 teaspoon ghee and pasta over medium heat until all pieces have lightly brown and give off a toasted aroma. Set aside.
• In a 3 quart heavy saucepan, heat milk and water on medium high. As soon as the mixture boils, reduce heat to medium and add fried pasta. Continue to simmer for 6 minutes, or until pasta is well cooked. Add sugar and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. When the mixture is done, it will have a creamy consistency.
• While the milk simmers, in the frying pan used for the pasta, fry the raisins and cashews in 2 teaspoons of ghee until lightly browned.
• Add the fried raisins and nuts and the cardamom to the milk, stir, and remove from the heat. Cover and chill for a few hours or more.
• Serve warm, reheating if necessary.
• In a heavy skillet, over medium to medium low heat, heat the butter until it is completely melted. Watch as the butter boils, first with large bubbles and white milk solids floating on the surface, then with only a fine white foam filling the entire surface. Stir occasionally.
• Soon, small patches of golden brown will appear on the surface, and the overall color of the butter will change from yellow to golden. Push aside the foam periodically to check the color of the sediment. When the sediment turns light brown, remove from the heat. (see note)
• Decant into a jar with a tight lid. Warm, if desired, for serving over rice.
• Note: If you heat until the sediment turns dark brown, the ghee will lose it's flavor and taste like vegetable oil.
• Yield: 1 cup

VERMICELLI PUDDING

Steps:

• Bring milk, sugar, and cardamom seeds to a boil in a saucepan; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir broken vermicelli pasta and raisins into milk mixture and simmer until pasta is tender and the cream sauce has thickened, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until warm, about 15 minutes. If pudding is too thick, stir in a little milk.

CARDAMOM-SPICED VERMICELLI (SEMIYA PAYASAM)

Steps:

• Pound the cardamom seeds to a powder with the caster sugar using a pestle and mortar. Tip into a saucepan with the milk and bring to a boil over a medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Heat the ghee in a wok or karahi over a medium heat and fry the vermicelli for 3-5 mins, stirring continuously, until they darken.
• Pour the boiling milk over the vermicelli and continue simmering, stirring all the time, for 5 mins or until it thickens. Stir in the jaggery or muscovado sugar and cook for a further 2-3 mins.
• Whisk the coconut milk to break up any lumps and pour it into the pan. Bring up to a simmer, then stir in the raisins. Spoon into small bowls and scatter over the fried cashews before serving immediately.

CREAMY PAYASAM (VERMICELLI PUDDING)

Steps:

• Put 3 Tbsp Ghee in a pan. A non stick saucepan is best.
• Add 10 cashews and fry till light brown.
• Add the raisins and fry till swollen.
• Add the vermicelli and fry for 5 min, stirring constantly until the strands are all light brown and a few are dark brown.
• Pour in the water and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Let the vermicelli cook (no white centre).
• Add the milk and simmer WITHOUT stirring until the liquid thickens, about 30 minute.
• Add the sugar, mix well.
• Sprinkle powdered cardomom pods and remove from heat.