I consider Paal Payasam / Rice pudding as the meal for the kings. This kheer is a simple desert with just three ingredients. It is a desert that is quite prevalent in weddings in Tamil Nadu.
In my book of recipes, paal payasam/Rice pudding belongs to the meal for the kings. I love paal payasam and I keep it very simple and basic with just 3 ingredients. The earthiness of the rice with the purity of milk makes this a heavenly dessert.
Last night after dinner, I was casually telling my husband how stuffed I was and that’s when he asks me how I am going to have the paal payasam when I am so stuffed. I replied to him that I always have place in my Tummy when it comes to paal payasam.
He laughed and told me this story of Tenali Raman who is known for his wits and intelligence. The story goes like this…Tenali Raman was invited for a feast in the kingdom and he ate a large meal. After meal the king asked him if he would be able to have the paal payasam since he ate so much.
Tenali Raman astonished the king by drinking a huge portion of the payasam. When the king questioned him how he was able to do it in spite of having such a large meal, Tenali Raman replied to the king, Your majesty, when you are walking in the streets, people make way for you leaving whatever they are doing.
The same way my stomach makes way for the king of the food which is the Paal payasam. I was so happy that this story indeed did justify my feeling that this payasam is the king of food.
The method I follow to make the payasam is the cooker method. This method ensures that the payasam has that condensed feeling that you only get when it is cooked for a long time over the flame.
Picture showing the deep pink color of the payasam against the regular milk
Preparation time – none
Cooking time – 1 hr
Difficulty level – easy
Ingredients to make Paal Payasam – makes around 5 cups of payasam
- Milk – 6 cups
- Rice – ¼ th cup (washed)
- Sugar – 1 cup
Procedure-
- Wash the rice and add to a large stainless steel vessel that can be placed inside the cooker. In the same vessel measure and add the milk.
- Now place this inside a cooker and place the whistle. Keep the heat on high and let it build pressure. Once you hear one whistle reduce the flame entirely and leave it simmer for 30 more mins.
- At the end of 30 mins, turn off the heat and let the pressure release in the cooker.
- Once the pressure is released, transfer the payasam to a non stick pan and then add the sugar. Mix it well and cook it further for 30 more mins, stirring occasionally.
- You would notice that now the payasam is deep pink in color and it would taste like it has been cooked for several hours.
- Enjoy the Rice pudding as is or if you prefer you could garnish with some nuts and raisins.
Other Payasam Recipes
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Recipe
Paal Payasam | Kheer | Rice Pudding
Equipment
- bowl
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 6 cups Milk
- ¼ th cup Rice washed
- 1 cup Sugar
Instructions
- Wash the rice and add to a large stainless steel vessel that can be placed inside the cooker. In the same vessel measure and add the milk.
- Now place this inside a cooker and place the whistle. Keep the heat on high and let it build pressure. Once you hear one whistle reduce the flame entirely and leave it simmer for 30 more mins.
- At the end of 30 mins, turn off the heat and let the pressure release in the cooker.
- Once the pressure is released, transfer the payasam to a non stick pan and then add the sugar. Mix it well and cook it further for 30 more mins, stirring occasionally.
- You would notice that now the payasam is deep pink in color and it would taste like it has been cooked for several hours.
- Enjoy the Rice pudding as is or if you prefer you could garnish with some nuts and raisins.
Aruna Nayar says
Pl indicate whether the cooker needs to have some water ,before the milk and rice vessel is kept inside it?
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Hello Aruna, yes. You have to keep some water in the bottom of the cooker.
Ahana Shetty says
Do you have any video to this pal paysam recipe.. I have to cook it in a steel vessel inside the cooker right? One of the best kheer I have tasted so far
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I don't have a video yet Ahana. Yes, you keep it inside a vessel in the cooker. It is one fo the best payasam and I will not make it any other way.
www.nccdata.com says
This post is gorgeous!! Beautiful photography as usual!! Absolutely mouthwatering.
Asiya Omar says
Looks superb..
cookcookandcook says
I love kheer.. Looks yummy.. SLURPP.. Thanks for linking.. 🙂
Sangeetha Nambi says
Wow love to this ever... First time to ur space.. Glad to follow u...
https://recipe-excavator.blogspot.com
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Sangeetha ! Good to know you too 🙂
Divya Pramil says
I love any kheer and am gonna post mine in a few hours 🙂 Looks super delicious dear!!
Palak Dal / Pasalai Keerai Paruppu Kulambu
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Divya !Saw you kheer too...Lovely color 🙂
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
Lovely payasam!!! Looks so tempting and delicious!!
Sowmya
Ongoing Event - CWF - Whole Wheat Flour
Ongoing Event - Let's Party - Eggless Bakes and Treats
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Sowmya ! I drool whenever any one makes this payasam 🙂
gayathri says
Looks Awesome...
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Gayathri!
Rinku Naveen says
My fav..can have it anytime of the day
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Rinku ! So true...
Rohini says
YUMMY Sandhya....gotta try this now.....
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Akka ! You are such an inspiration 🙂