21 Feb 2012

Gothumai Payasam


I love payasam... well, don't you?? It is my favourite of sweet treats ... rice, wheat, dhal, beaten rice, fruit payasam ... the variety is endless. The usual sweetening agents are jaggery, palm sugar, rock candy sugar and caster sugar. 
I did this post as guest for Priya of Bon Appetite  sometime ago and here it is ....


Even though we haven’t met in person , there is an invisible thread of passion for cooking, photography, simple family values and the enthusiasm which connect with others which brings us together. I was surprised that I was invited to do a guest post in Priya’s blog so soon as I am no where talents when compared to super bloggers and cooks out there.

Before I jump to the recipe, Priya wanted some words about me and my culinary journey. I am a very simple person and don’t like to write essays about me. I am a professional, married and have a 3 year old daughter. My roots are in Tamil Nadu but have spread my wings to the UK. 

Being a doctor is a hobby and I do it because I was trained to do it. My real passion is anything to do with a camera. Cooking has always been a part of my day to day activity but the relationship between food and photography  got married and deepened only after I started the blog.

Now I quite enjoy it as it has paved the way to new friendships. My choice of dishes is usually simple home made ones which are very common in any Indian household but also try other cuisines.

I wanted to make a recipe that is simple and truly reflects the traditional roots of  my place. I am sure most of you are familiar with this one. Wheat is usually used as an offering to the Sun God. Coming to think of it, different varieties of payasams are used as offerings to most of the Hindu festivals and auspicious days. It is a must in wedding feast too...


Godumai Payasam [broken wheat payasam] is famous in our geographic part of origin. The raw wheat kernels are broken into smaller pieces and used to create various savouriy and sweet preparations. It  is an excellent substitute instead of rice. 
Thanks again Priya for inviting me to do the guest post, I am humbled and honoured to be a part of this new “Blogger of the month @ Bon Appetit”. It has made me think even more about what I should do next to keep up with lovely bloggers like you. 

Gothumai  Payasam:
Broken wheat: 250 gms.
Second  or medium coconut milk : 1 ½  cup
First or thick coconut milk : 2 ½ cup.
Powdered jaggery : 500 gms.
Ghee: 1 tbsp.
Coconut oil: 2 tbsp.
Coconut gratings: 4 tbsp.


Cashews and raisins: a handful.
Whole cardamom pods: 4-5.
Nutmeg powder: 1 pinch.
Ginger powder: ½ tsp.
Salt: ¼ tsp.
Water [for cooking the wheat]: 4  cups
Hot water [to melt the jaggery]: 1 cup.  

Method:
1.Clean the wheat and roast it one medium flame with I tbsp. of ghee.
2.Pressure cook the wheat with 4 cups of water on medium flame for 4-5 whistles. Melt the jaggery in cup of hot water and strain to remove impurities.
3.Let the pressure settle down and open the lid. Press the wheat in-between your index finger and thumb and make sure it is cooked and soft.
4. Drain the excess water and transfer the cooked wheat to a non stick kadai and place on medium flame.
 5.Add the crushed cardamom pods, grated coconut, salt , melted jaggery, medium thick coconut milk, ginger  and nutmeg powder. Simmer for around 10-12 minutes until the mixture is thick and glossy and a wonderful aroma emanates.

6.Fry the cashews and raisins in coconut oil and keep aside.
7.Add the thick coconut milk [reserving 1 cup ]and the fried cashews and raisins along with the oil and mix well.
8.Remove from flame and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
Serve  warm with extra helping of thick coconut milk as the payasam will thicken more when cooled.

Note: The key to a good gothumai payasam is fresh ingredients and need to be used in the right proportions. You can try cooking the wheat with thin coconut milk instead of water to give extra flavor. You can avoid the coconut gratings and make the payasam only with the wheat.

If you can't find powdered jaggery, melt the jaggery [cubed or pieces] in a pan of water placed on a medium flame. Strain to remove impurities and use as mentioned in the recipe..

Enjoy...

Scribbled by Reva

36 comments:

FewMinute Wonders said...

My dad loves gothumai payasam but we always used to prepare it with whole wheat. I am sure it must taste the same. Nice!

hotpotcooking said...

WOW!! delicious and healthy payasam

Torviewtoronto said...

payasam looks wonderful

Sumi said...

Never heard of this payasam, looks so delicious :)

Neha said...

Very yummy looking Payasam...Nice clicks too...

Sravs said...

Very yummy payasam !! looks wonderful !!

Ongoing event CC-Dish For Loved Ones

Gayathri Kumar said...

Awesome snaps. Payasam looks very delicious...

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Simply delicious and mouthwatering payasam. Excellent preparation.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Hema said...

Very delicious payasam, full of flavor and tempting clicks, one more happy follower..

Asiya Omar said...

As usual nice clicks.Payasam looks delicious.

Soundspicy said...

Awesome clicks..looks yummy..

Sangeetha Nambi said...

Bookmarked !

Sangeetha Nambi said...

You got an award !! Do check my space !

Roshu said...

Awesome presentation n clicks.....yummy recipe

Shobha Kamath said...

Delicious and healthy payasam ! Love it!

Charu Srivastava said...

lovely clicks....such a nutritious and delectable sweet !!!!!

Aruna Manikandan said...

wow...
looks delicious reva :)

Faseela said...

yummy n awesome payassam dear....healthy too

Christy Gerald said...

Luv te addition of Ginger powder in it. Luvly flavored n Healthy Payasam Dear.

Kurinji said...

yummy....

Unknown said...

Delicious payasam..

Menaga Sathia said...

ரொம்ப நல்லாயிருக்கு..சுக்கு சேர்த்து செய்திருப்பது நல்ல ஐடியா!!

Sobha Shyam said...

lovely payasam and beautiful clicks..

Join the Just "4" Fun event :)

Priya Sreeram said...

thx for gracing my space revathi !

Rathai's recipe said...

I like the pudding-like appearance and richness of this dish. It looks very wholesome and flavourful. I never liked the vermicelli payaasam too much. Will certainly give this a try.

www.mahaslovelyhome.com said...

Wow..Looking really yumm..U made it perfectly..

Taste Melanger said...

Oh wow u have so many recipes of payasam..Will surely try the new ones..BTW U r very lucky to have such a gratifying career and such a creative passion. Keep it alive!

Shama Nagarajan said...

super delicious

Anzz said...

I do, I do...Love gothumai payasam.. I love thhe texture.. now you have me craving payasam at 12 in the night..!

Binys Recipes said...

wow great looking payasam...nice to know abt u....gr8 clicks

Shylaja said...

Delicious and healthy payasam

Erica said...

I love coconut and this dessert sounds amazing!

San said...

I find this payasam to be rich and creamy. It is so appealing dear. Good to know about you.

Unknown said...

Yummy Payasam..

Unknown said...

wow yummy and inviting....very nice ideas you get when it comes to presenting the dishes dear Reva! awesome!gr8 job!

Medley of Many Things said...

Love the payasam, very pristine!!
Also love the color. The shots are picture perfect too.
I liked the sentence "Being a doctor is a hobby" :-)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...