Paal Payasam /Milk Kheer made with Caramelized Sugar
Paal Payasam is one of the very traditional desserts that is served at south Indian weddings and for special occasions. This Milk Kheer is a variation of the regular version and uses caramelized sugar which brings out a very different flavor.
I love Paal Payasam. The other day, one of my very good friends, Ramya back from my college had put a picture of her paal payasam and it looked delicious. I ask her for the recipe and she had made the Milk Kheer by caramelizing the sugar.
This Milk Kheer was something new that I have never done. In fact, I have never caramelized sugar before. This was my first attempt and the payasam tasted wonderful. It bought back memories of my native, where my patti makes the payasam by letting it simmer for hours.
Preparation time - none
Cooking time - 1 hr
Difficulty level - medium
Ingredients to make Paal Payasam - (makes around 5 cups of Payasam)
- Milk - 6 cups (I used 2 %)
- Sugar - 1 ½ cups
- Rice (washed and drained) - ½ cup
- Raisins and nuts (optional) - to garnish
Procedure to make Paal Payasam -
- Heat a heavy bottom pot or preferably a cooker for about 2 minutes. Once the cooker is hot, add about 3 tablespoon of sugar to it. Let the sugar melt and caramelize. Do not add any water. Just add the sugar and then the heat would do the trick and melt the sugar down. You will notice that as the sugar melts it becomes nice and golden.
- Once all the sugar melts, add about ½ cup of water to it. When adding water, stand back and pour it in slowly as it might splatter. Now let the syrup come to a boil.
- To the boiling, syrup adds the milk and the washed rice. Close the cooker and let it cook on medium heat for one whistle. Then reduce the flame to simmer and let it cook further for 30 more minutes.
- If you are making it in a pot, once the sugar caramelizes and you add the milk and the rice, transfer this to a vessel that would go into the cooker and proceed as described above.
- After the steam releases open the cooker and add the rest of the sugar. Mix it well and let it come to a boil. Fry the nuts and raisins in ghee, if using and add it to the payasam. Simmer for about 15 mins and serve either hot or cold.
Notes and observations -
- The flavor of the payasam was very different and distinct since we caramelized the sugar.
- I do not add any other flavoring or garnish to paal payasam, since I like it as is. But if preferred, you could also add a pinch of cardamom powder and garnish it with nuts of your choice.
Similar Recipes
If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter/X
Recipe
Paal Payasam /Milk Kheer made with Caramelized Sugar
Equipment
- bowl
- Pressure Cooker
- spatula
Ingredients
- 6 cups Milk I used 2 %
- 1 ½ cups Sugar
- ½ cup Rice washed and drained
- to garnish Raisins and nuts optional
Instructions
- Heat a heavy bottom pot or preferably a cooker for about 2 minutes. Once the cooker is hot, add about 3 tablespoon of sugar into it. Let the sugar melt and caramelize. Do not add any water. Just add the sugar and then the heat would do the trick and melt the sugar down. You will notice that as the sugar melts it becomes nice and golden.
- Once all the sugar melts, add about ½ cup of water to it. When adding water, stand back and pour it in slowly as it might splatter. Now let the syrup come to a boil.
- To the boiling syrup add the milk and the washed rice. Close the cooker and let it cook in medium heat for one whistle. Then reduce the flame to simmer and let it cook further for 30 more minutes.
- If you are making it in a pot, once the sugar caramelizes and you add the milk and the rice, transfer this to a vessel that would go into the cooker and proceed as described above.
- After the steam releases open the cooker and add the rest of the sugar. Mix it well and let it come to a boil. Fry the nuts and raisins in ghee, if using and add it to the payasam. Simmer for about 15 mins and serve either hot or cold.
Notes
- The flavor of the payasam was very different and distinct since we caramelized the sugar.
- I do not add any other flavoring or garnish to paal payasam, since I like it as is. But if preferred, you could also add a pinch of cardamom powder and garnish it with nuts of your choice.
delicious payasam...
am your new follower...
https://pramithalovecooking.blogspot.com/
wow very new type of payasam.... very different from the standard ones!!!
Sowmya
Ongoing Event - Tried and Tasted - Raks Kitchen
Ongoing Event - Dish it out - Lentils & Garlic
Ongoing Event - Know Your Dairy - Cheese
I loved you way of preparation I mean caramelizing must have made this taste too good !! Lovely color
Just feel like having it now.
Yummy. Caramelised payasam should be a dessert made in heaven. Lovely colour. Lovely payasam
I like the color of the payasam .looks very inviting.
Thanks for your lovely comments
Happy to follow you
A natural and pleasant color to payasam..Looks so inviting 🙂 I love paal payasam so this is a must try version 🙂
Very pleasing and irresitible payasam,love to have a huge bowl of it.
Sandhya, looks yummy !! I like the color..it looks like the red rice payasam that is made in kerala. Will try the recipe for sure. Thanks for posting.
Awesome recipe thanks for linking this recipe with my event.. for winning feb's month surprise giveaway.... collect more likes on your recipe
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.375151772582219.81032.184432024987529#
ONGOING EVENT- "Foodabuous Fest: feb Series"
Simply TADKA
Hi Sandhya ...
New to your blog, Glad to follow you !!
Nice Blog, Plz do visit mine in your free time 🙂
ShrutiRasoi
Today's Recipe
Fruit Salad with Yogurt Dressing
wow love this colorful payasam, yummy payasam dear 🙂
Caramelized sugar paayasam is wonderful idea Sandhya, yummy payasam.
wow loving the payasam .looks so good and tempting Sandhya.
looks super tempting payasam..Yummilicious!!
Flavors Of Cuisines-"Mexican"
looks so different and must have been so good, lovely idea dear
Thanks Priya! The flavor was different from the regular paal payasam I make. The caramelization made the payasam have a distinct flavor to it 🙂
yummy and super payasam.try this method soon:)
Thanks Ramya! It was indeed very delicious 🙂 Let me know how you liked it!
love the color of the kheer.
Thanks 🙂
The colour of the Paal Payasam is very very nice.
Thanks lakshmi!
very healthy n so tempting
Thanks Maha! I give this payasam to my kids as their evening milk. The extra fat sure is good for the kids 🙂
Yummy yummy!!!
Thanks Priya 🙂
beautiful color for the paal payasam... 🙂
https://sweettoothraf.blogspot.com
Thanks Rafeeda!