Oatmeal Payasam | Steel Cut Oats And Coconut Milk Kheer

Steel Cut Oats is one of my favorite and I use it in every possible way. I was one of those people who hated oats until I started using Steel Cut Oatmeal. I absolutely love the texture of the steel cut oatmeal and if bought certified gluten free, this could work great for people looking for a gluten free grain. In the past, I have used Steel cut oats in many savory recipes and wanted to try a dessert with it. Hence, made a Vegan dessert – Oatmeal Payasam | Steel Cut Oats and Coconut Milk Kheer recipe for alphabet ‘O’.

One of my favorite ways to eat steel cut oats is this Thayir Oats | Oats Bagalabhath | Spicy Yogurt Oats. I can eat if for lunch, dinner or breakfast. I have to mention that the other day I added some of my spicy Vathal Kuzhambu in the Thayir Oats and had it for breakfast and it was the best ever.

Coconut milk is something I love using for my payasam / kheer / pudding. It all started when I was looking for a way to make my Jevvarasi / Sago kheer without curdling. That is when I used coconut milk instead of regular milk and the flavor of just amazing. Ever since then, any payasam/kheer with jaggery, I use coconut milk instead of regular milk.

Also, this is the first time I have used coconut oil in my dessert. I always use ghee to roast nuts when adding to a dessert, but this time I wanted to keep it true vegan and hence used coconut oil to roast my nuts. I could not find any difference in the flavor of the kheer because of the addition of coconut oil. One thing that I can say is that it increased the flavor of the coconut a bit more, which I sort of enjoyed.

If you are someone suffering from Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, make sure you buy the oats that is certified gluten free. The problem with general oats is that they are grown right next to wheat farm and hence chances of cross contamination is high. If they are certified gluten free, then it means that they are grown completely in a safe environment, free from any contamination.

Use good quality jaggery / palm sugar to make the payasam for the best flavor. Palm jaggery has a very earthy flavor that is something that I enjoy in my desserts. If you do not have access to jaggery, use brown sugar instead. I used instant pot to cook my steel cut oats. Ever since I have started using my Instant Pot, cooking has become sort of hands free for me. Steel cut oats needs a good 20 minutes on stove top with occasional stirring. In the IP, I don’t have to stand next to it and stir.

My Other Posts in the A – Z Explore the Flavors Series

A for Akki Roti 

B for Baghrir with Orange Butter Sauce

C for Chickpeas Shawarma

D for Double Ka Meetha

E for Esquites

F for Farro Salad

G for Gur Papdi

H for Hayagreeva Maddi

I for Idli

J for Jau Ki Papdi

K for Karthigai Pori

L for Lemon Chia Seeds Muffin

M for Mysore Pak

N for Narali Bhath

Preparation time – 10 minutes
Cooking time – 30 minutes
Difficulty level – easy

Ingredients to make Oatmeal Payasam | Steel Cut Oats and Coconut Milk Kheer – (Serves 6)

• Steel cut oats – 1/2 cup
• Jaggery / Palm sugar – 1 cup
• Coconut milk – 1 can or 1 1/2 cups of thick coconut milk
• Coconut oil – 2 tsp
• Cashew nuts – 2 tbsp
• Cardamom – 1/4 tsp (powdered)
• Grated coconut – 2 tsp (optional)

Procedure to make Oatmeal Payasam | Steel Cut Oats and Coconut Milk Kheer  –

• Measure the steel cut and oats and add about 2 cups of water to it and cook until the oats are soft. I used Instant pot to cook my steel cut oats. I set it on manual for 6 minutes and it cooked perfectly. You could cook it on stove top as well. Make sure you stir it often to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan. It takes a good 20 minutes to cook the steel cut oats. Add more water if needed.

• In a heavy bottom pan, measure the jaggery and add about a cup of water to it. Let it come to a boil and then strain the mixture to remove any impurities. Return the jaggery to the pan and bring it to a boil again.
• Mash the cooked oats and add it to the jaggery and mix well. The mixture will liquefy a bit. SImmer the flame and let it cook in the jaggery syrup for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, if using canned coconut milk, measure half a can of coconut milk and pour it in a separate bowl. Add about 1 cup of water to it. This becomes the thin coconut milk. The other half in the can will remain the thick milk. If using fresh coconut to remove milk, measure about 1/2 cup of thick milk and then use about 2 cups of thin milk.
• Add the thin coconut milk to the pan and let it simmer and come to a gentle boil. Let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Now add the thick coconut milk and bring it to gentle simmer. Do not boil too long after you add the thick milk as the mixture might curdle and separate.

• Heat the coconut oil in a small pan and roast the cashew nuts and the grated coconut. Add this along with cardamom powder to the payasam and mix well.
• Serve the Oatmeal Payasam warm or at room temperature.

5 from 8 votes

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Oatmeal Payasam | Steel Cut Oats and Coconut Milk Kheer

Course Dessert, Festival Recipes

Cuisine Indian, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

• Steel cut oats - 1/2 cup
• Jaggery / Palm sugar - 1 cup
• Coconut milk - 1 can or 1 1/2 cups of thick coconut milk
• Coconut oil - 2 tsp
• Cashew nuts - 2 tbsp
• Cardamom - 1/4 tsp powdered
• Grated coconut - 2 tsp optional

Instructions

1. Measure the steel cut and oats and add about 2 cups of water to it and cook until the oats are soft. I used Instant pot to cook my steel cut oats. I set it on manual for 6 minutes and it cooked perfectly. You could cook it on stove top as well. Make sure you stir it often to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan. It takes a good 20 minutes to cook the steel cut oats. Add more water if needed.
2. In a heavy bottom pan, measure the jaggery and add about a cup of water to it. Let it come to a boil and then strain the mixture to remove any impurities. Return the jaggery to the pan and bring it to a boil again.
3. Mash the cooked oats and add it to the jaggery and mix well. The mixture will liquefy a bit. SImmer the flame and let it cook in the jaggery syrup for 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, if using canned coconut milk, measure half a can of coconut milk and pour it in a separate bowl. Add about 1 cup of water to it. This becomes the thin coconut milk. The other half in the can will remain the thick milk. If using fresh coconut to remove milk, measure about 1/2 cup of thick milk and then use about 2 cups of thin milk.
5. Add the thin coconut milk to the pan and let it simmer and come to a gentle boil. Let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
6. Now add the thick coconut milk and bring it to gentle simmer. Do not boil too long after you add the thick milk as the mixture might curdle and separate.
7. Heat the coconut oil in a small pan and roast the cashew nuts and the grated coconut. Add this along with cardamom powder to the payasam and mix well. Serve warm or at room temperature.