Vishu Festival Special: Creamy

Palada Payasam

Recipe For Dessert

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.