PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM - PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

     Today is "Uthradam", the first day of Main 4 days of Onam.  Let's celebrate the day with a simple & quick Paal Payasam, which can be easily cooked in a Pressure Cooker.  Cooking this Paal Payasam in a Pressure Cooker, makes it less cumbersome and also yields you with a perfectly cooked Paal Payasam as done traditionally by slow cooking in a Bronze Uruli.  This Pressure Cooker Paal Payasam recipe is Rich, creamy and pink coloured perfectly cooked Paal Payasam as good as the one cooked in an Uruli.

      PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM/ RICE PAYASAM is the best and the simplest payasam ever.  And if you can make the same recipe in one quick step, then cooking it in a Pressure Cooker is one of the easiest way. This Paal Payasam recipe is a version cooked in Pressure Cooker. The most delicious AMBALA PUZHA PAAL PAYASAM literally, the most traditional version of the Paal Payasam is a dessert prepared with Rice in a Milk base.  The Rice traditionally used for this payasam is Kerala Rose Matta Rice/ Unakkalari/Chembavu Ari.  And it is meticulously cooked in a bronze uruli, the slow cooking method yields you with a creamy, rich, pink coloured Paal Payasam.

    This Paal Payasam is a simpler version and I have used Basmati Rice whereas authentic Paal Payasam sticks on to the traditional rule of using Kerala Rose Matta Rice/ Unakkalari which gives an authentic taste and flavour to the dessert.  The trick behind perfectly cooked Paal Payasam is slow cooking on a very low flame which yields a pink colour to the Paal Payasam, it gives a perfect texture to the rice and makes the Payasam Rich and Creamy. The trick of slow cooking under pressure in this Pressure Cooker Method yields you with an uncompromising Paal Payasam, equivalent to the traditional Unakkalari Paal Payasam.

PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM - PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

      This easy Payasam is prepared with just three ingredients, Basmati Rice, Milk and Sugar.  Adding nuts & flavouring it with Cardamoms are truly optional.  And this particular recipe is prepared in a Pressure Cooker, which makes the task easy. This is one of the most common Payasam served in a Sadhya.  When it comes to a Payasam with Sugar, colloquially called as a Vella Payasam/White Payasam - Paal Payasam or Palada Payasam tops the list during Onam/Vishu Sadhya.
       

    Most of all, if it is Paal Payasam then it is undoubtedly Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam.  This dessert is a famous Naivedyam/Prasadham at Sree Krishna Temple in Ambalapuzha(Kerala).  But this quick version Paal Payasam is so tasty, creamy and rich that it can surely take a special place in the name of one best Payasam variety.  Try this simple Pressure Cooker Paal Payasam, this Onam, a quick version which can be made within no time, and it requires no special attention during cooking.  Place all the ingredients in the Pressure Cooker, cover it, place the vent cap, reduce the flame to the lowest and leave it in on the stove for the required time.  You can get occupied with your other chores while this Paal Payasam is getting ready.

PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM - PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

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Cuisine - Kerala (India)
Recipe Type - Pradhaman/Payasam, Dessert
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4-6
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15 - 25 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30 - 45 Minutes

For traditional AMBALAPUZHA PAAL PAYASAM, Click here...

 

HOW TO MAKE PAAL PAYASAM / ARI PAYASAM IN PRESSURE COOKER

PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM - PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

 

INGREDIENTS:

For Paal Payasam/Ari Payasam:

Basmati Rice/Raw Rice - 4 Tablespoons
Sugar - 10 Tablespoons
Milk - 2 Litres
Cardamom Powder - 1 Teaspoon(Optional)
Cashew Nuts - Few (Optional)

METHOD:

PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM - PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

How to Cook Paal Payasam in Pressure Cooker:

• Clean, Wash and Soak Basmati Rice/Raw Rice in 11/2 cups of water for about 20–30 minutes.
• Once soaked, drain the Rice and discard the water.
• Chop Cashew Nuts into small pieces and keep it aside.
• Grind the Cardamoms along with a few teaspoons of Sugar into a fine powder.
• In a clean Pressure Cooker, add soaked Rice, Sugar, Milk, Cardamom Powder, Chopped Cashew Nuts and mix well.
• Cover the Lid and cook on high flame for a few minutes, until the pressure starts to release.
• Lower the flame to the minimum (the lowest level) and cook for about 30 -45 minutes.
• Switch off the flame and do not disturb the Pressure Cooker until the steam is fully released.
• Once the pressure cooker has totally cooled down, remove the lid and gently mix the Paal Payasam/Ari Payasam.
• Serve Paal Payasam/Ari Payasam hot or cold.
• Serve it in Banana Leaf along with Pappadam and Pazham for a complete feel of Sadhya.
  

For more SADHYA Recipes, click here...

PAAL PAYASAM/ARI PAYASAM - PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

NOTES:

• Cook the Paal Payasam on a very low flame for at least 15-20 minutes, in the pressure cooker.
• Make sure the pressure doesn't release while cooking, this can splatter the milk all around.
• This will totally spoil the taste and can also be messy.
• Leave the Pressure cooker untouched while cooking and even after it is switched off(for at least 30 minutes)
• If preparing the same Paal Payasam with Kerala Matta Rice/Unakkalari soak the rice for about 30 minutes and cook for about 30 -45 Minutes, if cooking in a Pressure Cooker.
• Can cook this Paal Payasam in a normal heavy-bottomed pan. It will comparatively take more time to get the desired colour and texture, about 30–45 minutes.
• The best utensil to cook this Paal Payasam is a wide-mouthed Bronze Vessel(Uruli).
• Utter care should be taken while cooking the Paal Payasam in a Pan/Uruli.  Cook on a medium-low flame, stirring occasionally.
• Do not leave the Paal Payasam unattended.
• Make sure that the Payasam doesn't get burned, which will totally spoil the taste.
• Slow cooking is the trick behind Pink, Rich and Creamy Paal Payasam.
• Adding Nuts and Cardamom Powder are truly optional.
• Traditionally Rice, Sugar, Milk and Water are the only ingredients in this Paal/Ari Payasam.
• I usually do not fry the Nuts and Raisins in Ghee for this Payasam, if preferred can do so.