Vishu festival, the traditional Hindu New Year festival for Malayalis in Kerala, is marked by Vishu Sadhya, a traditional feast for the entire family. And like is the case with any feast, it’s incomplete without a dessert, specifically palada payasam, a quintessential Kerala dessert, made by simmering rice flakes (ada) in milk and sugar until thick, creamy, and pale pink.
The traditional palada payasam recipe requires a significant cooking time to slowly reduce the full-fat milk. The dish is recognised by its pale, pink colour, a result of the natural caramelisation of milk and sugar after long boiling. It’s sweet, creamy, and thick, with a slightly nutty taste. Right before serving, the dish may be topped with roasted nuts, especially if serving it for a religious feast.
The payasam also has a symbolic significance for religious ceremonies. The Vishu festival is essentially a harvest festival, and the payasam symbolises abundance and prosperity. You can follow this palada payasam recipe, but customise the garnishes by skipping the nuts, choosing different options (almonds instead of cashews, for example), or even adding a pinch of cardamom powder for an aromatic finish. The garnish enhances the dish, but the core remains ada simmered in milk and sugar.
Add 2 litres of milk to a large pressure cooker and cook on low-medium heat for about 1 hour, without pressure (no whistle), until it reduces slightly and thickens. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Set aside.
Description - Step 2
Cook the rice ada
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the rice ada and cook for 6–8 minutes until partially cooked. Drain and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch. Set aside.
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Mix the milk and ada
Add the cooked rice ada to the reduced milk and mix well. Cook on medium-low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ada is fully cooked and the milk thickens further.
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Prepare the caramel
In a separate pan, add 3 tbsp sugar and cook on medium heat until it melts and turns a deep amber colour. Swirl the pan gently; do not stir with a spoon. Carefully pour the caramel into the payasam and mix well. Cook for another 10 minutes until the payasam turns a light pink shade and thickens slightly.
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Garnish and serve
Heat the ghee in a small pan. Fry cashews and raisins until golden, and add to the payasam. Switch off the heat and let it cool slightly; it will thicken more as it rests. Serve warm or chilled.
Palada payasam is a traditional Kerala dessert served during festivals like Onam, Vishu festival, etc. It’s a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and community, and is a key part of the elaborate sadhya meal.
The palada payasam recipe begins with reducing full-fat milk into a thick base. To this base, cooked rice ada is added. The dish is topped with caramel, which lends it a pale pink colour. For festive feasts, ghee-roasted nuts are also added as garnish.
It can be served both ways. Traditionally, it is enjoyed slightly warm or at room temperature after thickening. However, many households chill the dessert and consume it later.
While the two may be used interchangeably at times, payasam is different from pradhaman. Palada payasam is milk-based with rice ada, while pradhaman uses jaggery and coconut milk, resulting in a darker, richer, and more caramel-like flavour profile.