4 Nov 2011

Ada Pradhaman - Celebrating our 11th Anniversary


 I love November, purely for the reason that it holds so many celebration days for me and my family and it starts from today:)

On this day, 11 years back in, on a quite evening in the university medical library is when my hubby Mr.M asked me to be his life partner in a very subtle gentle way. We had actually started talking a year back and became very good friends.

My reaction????

I was stunned and surprised. Honestly I thought he was stressed out because of the final year exams which we had in 2 months time and I just brushed it off as a joke. No, he was serious and finally I said yes:)

Today is the 11th year anniversary of that special day and it just seems like yesterday...:)


My hubby's B'day, our marriage anniversary, blog anniversary are to follow in the forth coming days of November.... So it is celebration time..:) Ada pradhaman is my family favourite especially my hubby's. So let's start this special month with this special treat..:)

Have I mentioned that my mom is from Kerala? My parent's love story  started in Madras Medical College in 1973 and is a very interesting one. I will let you guys know some other time. So this is my first post reflecting my maternal side. I am so fortunate to have the best of both states and cuisines which had given me the opportunity appreciate different flavours ...:)

It is my most favourite sweet treat as it was my grand mom's speciality. She used to make everything from scratch - the rice ada, coconut milk etc. I made the rice ada at home but not exactly from scratch.


The coconut milk is store brought. Making the payasam with home made ada makes the payasam tastes so much richer and tastier...

This post has pics taken in two different occasions. I made this payasam when I was in India this march. I took all the pics, not thinking much of the props and the presentation. It was the usual brass uruli, lamps and silk garments reflecting Kerala tradition.

I wanted to post it for Onam but then when I looked at the pics again, I was not really satisfied with the pics. My presentation was so ordinary and after seeing the recipe posts for Onam from my fellow bloggers, my pics were just....nothing worth looking at:(


So I made the recipe again last week and took new pics. So the "making the ada" pics are from the previous preparation and the "finished payasam" pics are from the second preparation.

Concept of presentation: I wanted the pics to have a fresh look with a very colourful contemporary feel but not to lose the essence of recipe. The wide mouth glass bowl resembles the brass uruli with a touch of bright colour from the flowers. The silk cushion covers in the back ground gives a very rich feel. The bead work in the saree on which the bowl is placed adds a bit of visual texture. The candle and incense cone gives a very aromatic feel to the pics....

Let me know your thoughts....:)


Home made ada:
Rice flour [store bought]: 1 cup.
Water: 1 cup [you may not need all the water]
Salt: 1 pinch
Coconut oil: 1 tsp.
Banana leaf strips: 8-10.

1.Wash the banana strips and pat them dry. Keep aside.
2.Seive the rice flour to break all the lumps. Add salt, coconut oil and enough water to make a paste.


3.Spread this paste as a thin layer on the banana strips leaving 1 cm space on the sides.
4.Roll the strips into rolls. Place the rolls with the open ends facing down and steam them in a steamer or idli cooker for 10 -12 mins.


5.Take the strips out of the steamer and cool for 10 mins.


6.Unroll the strips and remove the cooked ada from the strips.

Keep warm until required.

Ada Pradhaman: Adding coconut oil is my gran's way of making the payasam. You can completely skip the oil and use ghee instead of it. I would really recommend you to try making it with coconut oil as the flavour and aroma it lends to the dish is just wonderful.


Cooked ada: 1 cup.
Powdered jaggery: 1 cup.
Hot water: 3/4 cup.
Medium thin coconut milk [see notes]: 1 cup.
Thick coconut milk: 1 and 1/2 cups.
Coconut oil: 1 tbsp.
Ghee: 1 tbsp.
Cardamom powder: 1 tsp.
Fresh ginger [optional]: 1/2 inch piece
Ginger powder: 1/2 tsp.
Fresh coconut flesh : 2-3 pieces about 1 inch in length.


Garnish:
Whole cashews: 8-10.
Raisins: 2 tbsp.
Coconut strips: 8-10 [1 inch pieces]
Coconut oil: 1 -2 tbsp.

1.Chop the coconut into very tiny pieces and fry in the coconut oil. Keep aside.
2.Place a deep heavy bottomed pan on medium flame. Add the powdered jaggery and hot water. Stir gently until all the jaggery is dissolved.
3.Remove from fire and strain the syrup to remove all the impurities.


4.Return the pan to the fire with the syrup.
5.Add the cooked ada, chopped coconut pieces, fresh ginger, cardamom and ginger powder.
6.Mix well and let it simmer for 6-8 minutes. By this time the mixture would have thickened slightly.
7.Add the fried coconut pieces along with the oil, ghee and medium thin coconut milk and give it a good stir.
8.Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile fry the cashews, raisins and coconut pieces in coconut oil. Keep aside.


9.Add the thick coconut milk and just heat through.
10.Remove from flame. Gently remove the piece of ginger. Add the garnish on top of the payasam which is very pleasing to the eyes.

 Let the dish rest for a couple of hours for the flavours to mingle. Serve warm or cold.

Notes:I have added more coconut milk than needed as I love its flavour. You can reduce the amount of the thick milk to 1 cup. The colour of the payasam really depends on the colour of the jaggery. So look out for the jaggery shades when you make the payasam..:)


Medium thick coconut milk: Mix 1/2 cup of thick coconut milk with 1/2 cup water to make medium thin coconut milk. If you are extracting it from coconut scrapings, then use the milk extracted the second time. 

I didn't cut the cooked ada into tiny pieces. I just cut them half hazardly into pieces of different sizes. You can cut them into tiny pieces if you wish. Next time I should try freezing the ada. 

Enjoy....


Scribbled by Reva

46 comments:

Sangeetha M said...

My Hearty Congratulations Reva and wish many many more years of togetherness...i am so touched and impressed a lot after reading your post...mine is of same story and this November is more special to us also not anniversary but the month He asked me the same qstn :)
Once again my hearty wishes to you both...Ada Pradhaman looks absolutely divine and no doubt the presentation is very rich and perfect...loved it and as usual awesome Reva's Clicks :)

MyKitchen Flavors-BonAppetit!. said...

Like the recipe.Luv the story story behind the celebration.Congrats and Happy Anniversary!.

Julie said...

Looks delicious n great effort.. Superb clicks too!!
Happy Anniversary!!! Wish you a happy and successful journey ahead!!

Soundspicy said...

Happy Anniversary wishes..Ada Pradhaman looks super delicious..Love ur presentation :)

Nandita SS said...

Ohhhh Happy anniversary reva!!! The Ada Pradaman looks perfect for the celebration. Wishing you many more anniversaries like this!! Cheers :)

Tina said...

Happy Anniversary dear..Ada pradhaman looks mouthwatering nd perfect...Beautiful and colourful clicks toooo

createwithmom said...

interesting delicious flavours looks wonderful

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Congrats...Wish u many more years of togetherness...Loved reading ur love story...Ada pradaman looks delicious...Love the clicks...

Neha said...

pradhaman looks delicious...And the clicks are superb...

Suma Gandlur said...

Happy Anniversary! Love the gorgeous pics.

Kaveri Venkatesh said...

Congratulations Revathi! Ada pradaman looks awesome and very beautifully clicked

Nalini's Kitchen said...

Congrats and wish you a happy anniversary.Adapradaman looks so delicious and a fabulous presentation.Thanks for sharing.

Radhika said...

Wishing you many years of togetherness Rev. The choice of recipe is a perfection itself. the clicks are just awesome. God bless.

Indian Khana said...

Special month indeed ...wish you wonderful day ..and pradhaman looks so yum ...fab pics

Square Meals said...

Lovely presentation..and Happy Anniversary!

Priya dharshini said...

Happy Anniversary,Reva..Stunning pic on Ada pradanamam.I luv coconut oil in my cooking and also to read luv stories...

Vardhini said...

An authentic and delicious treat. Congrats on the anniversary and the presentation looks fabulous with a festive look.

Vardhini
Event: Bake Fest
Event: Dish it Out - Soy and Tomatoes

Lifewithspices said...

Happy Anniversary hv an awesome life as always!!! Ultimate ada.. i love it so much awesome clicks!!!

Padhu Sankar said...

Pradhaman looks divine and congrats on your anniversary.

Umm Mymoonah said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, looking forward to your other celebration recipes too. Ada pradhamam with your own home made ada looks very delicious.

Menaga Sathia said...

Happy Anniversary dear!! ..love ur ada pradaman but never tasted it,soon will try it ana also very interesting to read ur love story...Have a nice day!!

PrathibhaSreejith said...

Reva, congratss dear and wishing you both many more years of togetherness. God bless. Ada pradhaman luks yumm and clicks are just fabulous.
Ada was made the same way in my home back in kerala with home made rice flour. I gotta memorize those seeing ur clicks. Thanks

Alpana said...

Heartiest Congratulations Reva......wishing you many many more beautiful years of togetherness .......your dish truly expresses your emotions ......amazing & beautiful.

sangeeta said...

A truly truly mushy recipe for a mushy love story...Love is in the lines :)

All my wishes for the lovely couple.

divya said...

Happy Anniversary dear..Ada pradhaman looks mouthwatering and perfect...Beautiful and colorful clicks toooo

Aruna Manikandan said...

heartiest congratulations dear....
ada pradhaman looks yummy ...

Nandinis food said...

Happy Anniversary! The pradhaman looks delicious and beautiful! Yum!

Yasmin said...

Congratulations! and the best two you both! yes, it was lovely to put the flower and candle in the photos! i loved the last photo especially, and the focussed one on the flower. very nice. im sorry i haven't replied in a while ive been sooooo busy - being almost the end of the year.

Cheers,
yas
www.tickle-your-tastebuds.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

wow awesome dear!

Happy Anniversary Reva, may you have more and more happy yrs to celebrate.....

This is my hubby's fav recipe too (he is frm kerala too!....but am not!)

Advance wishes for all the upcoming celebrations!


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Treat and Trick said...

Happy wedding anniversary dear, may both of you be blessed with happiness and good health! Your clicks and presentation are fantastic, am drooling over that milky dessert....

Amelia said...

Reva, thanks for dropping by my blog. Lovely picture and beautiful presentation. Happy anniversary to you.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a wonderful treat to celebrate so many happy occasions. You are a thoughtful wife and obviously one who knows how to cook :-). I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

Myvegfare said...

Hi Reva, I just completed 19 years (oct 28th) of wedding bliss..!!??&& :)) hahahha, My heartiest congragulations, may you both are blessed with lots of happiness, health and wealth and of course many more years to come by, Hope you had a wonderful day..,(and lots of gifts from H!).., tight hugs and kisses to you dear

Panchamrutham said...

Happy Anniversary.......The clicks are super tempting..Such a perfect treat for the occasion

http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/

Kalyani said...

hearty congrats Reva !! stunning clicks :-) and here's to many more wonderful memories and milestones !

Kalyani
My 200th Post & Giveaway

New event all this November: Flavours of China

Priya Suresh said...

My hearty wishes Reva, wishing more and more years of happiness and togetherness...Ada pradhaman looks super rich,creamy and fabulous..

Rinku Naveen said...

Congratulations Reva! Enjoy all the celebrations.. Ada pradhaman is my fav too..

Sensible Vegetarian said...

Congrats and wishes to you on all the celebrations. I love adai pradhaman and yours is really tempting me a lot. Wonderful clicks as usual.

Lorraine said...

Beautiful dish....it looks delicious. Happy anniversary:)

Mélange said...

Congrats on your Anniversary dear ! Gob Bless ! 11 year is a long time.Isn't it ? Enjoyed reading the love story.I was visualising the library scene to be perfect.Nice !

Now coming to the recipe,I was wondering on the first sight how you managed those adas to be prepared at home.While reading only I had the revelation that your mother belongs to Kerala.That right.You are lucky to have two different cultures and traditions.

Ada pradhaman looks awesome and the presentation,needless to say,is superb ! Indeed lots of hard work. God bless Reva,on you,your family and happiness !

Deeksha said...

Happy Anniversary dear.
Ada Pradhaman looks very delicious. Beautiful presentation.

Jaleela Kamal said...

Happy wedding Anniversary...reva
super clicks , very delicious ada prathaman. we also preparing like this in maida its called vellam kooda

Nithu said...

Lovely presentation. My favorite payasam. The recipe for making ada is really useful. Thanks for sharing.

Gayathri NG said...

Wow lovely story, my hearty wishes on ur anniversary and have a lot of joy & happiness in this special day...
Simply divine prathaman tempting me dear...

Gayathri NG said...

Wow lovely story, my hearty wishes on ur anniversary and have a lot of joy & happiness in this special day...
Simply divine prathaman tempting me dear...

Roshni said...

The photos look amazing. Mouth watering. Ada Pradaman is my fav payasam. I have a lot to learn from you regarding photos and all. I just randomly click something and put. :-(

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