Vegetarian Cuisine

PAYASAM

Ingredients:
1 litre (1 ¾ pints) milk or soya milk
3 cardamom pods
75 g (3 oz) basmati rice, rinsed
2 tablespoons cashew nut pieces
3 tablespoons raisins
125 ml (4 fl. oz) date syrup or honey

Preparation:
1. Bring the milk almost to the boil in a pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Remove the seeds from the cardamom pods, discarding the husks. Crush the seeds slightly and add to the milk. Add the rice, cashew nuts and raisins. Cover the pan and continue to cook over a low heat for about 20-30 minutes, until the rice is soft. Remove from the heat, stir in the date syrup or honey and serve.
Add a pinch of ground saffron with the rice, if desired. Vermicelli may be used instead of basmati rice.

Laziness is the father of disappointment and failure. – Sri Swami Sivananda