Palada Pradhaman/ Payasam

Palada pradhaman/Paal ada payasam

Palada pradhaman is a very popular dessert in Kerala and is made on festivals like Vishu, Onam and special occasions like marriage feasts. The secret to this recipe is slow cooking the ada in milk and sugar till it reduces and becomes creamy like condensed milk. Added to this is the flavor of ghee and cardamom and roasted cashew nuts. If this wasn't good enough, here is another way to make your payasam eating unforgettable. Have it with sweet Boli .Palada payasam is served along with Boli in wedding Sadhya, in south Kerala, especially in Triruvananthapuram region and the combination is divine. I have also posted ada pradhaman recipe with jaggery and coconut. This ada payasam is made with milk and sugar.

In earlier times it was very difficult to make this pradhaman and it took hours to prepare the rice ada (looks similar to flakes) used in this recipe. Grounded rice paste was spread in plantain leaves rolled and submerged into boiling water to make the rice flakes. Now it easily available in grocery stores in dehydrated form. My family enjoys this creamy pradhaman. It needs a bit of patience as we have to wait for the milk to condense. So here is a quick recipe. You can reduce the cooking time by adding condensed milk. Get your ingredients together and try this recipe, you will surely love it.
Cooking time- 25 minutes
Cuisine- South Indian (Kerala)

Ingredients
Palada - 250 grams
Milk- 1 liter
Condensed milk- 1 can ( 14 ounce container)
Water- 1 cup
Cardamon powder- 1/2 tsp
Sugar- 1/2 cup (if needed)
Cashew nuts and raisins for garnish.
Ghee- 1 1/2 tsp

Wash palada and set aside.Place a heavy bottom vessel and add in one cup of water and allow it to boil. Add milk into this and allow it boil and reduce a bit .
Now add the palada and cook it. Stir occasionally as there is a tendency for milk and ada to stick to the bottom. Allow the milk to get reduced and creamy and the ada to become soft. Add condensed milk and if necessary the sugar.
( If you do not wish to add condensed milk, you can make it with milk. You  will need 1 1/2 liters of milk and  1 to 1 1/3 cup of sugar depending on your sweet preference)
Simmer the payasam for another five minutes. Finally add cardamon powder and switch off the flame. Allow to cool a bit. Heat ghee and roast the cashew nuts and raisins and garnish on top (optional).

If you like payasam check other payasam recipes in this blog...

Pal ada Mambazham Payasam (ada and mango pudding)
Aval Payasam (flat rice/ beaten rice)
Pal Payasam( milk and rice pudding)
Chowari Payasam (sago pearls pudding)
Elaneer Payasam (tender coconut payasam)



Try this...
Hope you will all enjoy!