Happy Vishu with Raisin Paal Payasam (Kheer)

HAPPY VISHU, HAPPY BAISAKHI, HAPPY POILA BAISHAKH, TAMIL PUTHANDU VAZHTHIKAL TO ONE & ALL!!! :) :) :)

Friends, today in the midst of work & some more work I didnt really know what to prepare for this auspicious day.

I remember when at home with parents how my father would adorn the puja space of our home with lots of fresh beautiful fruits, vegetables, some oraments, silver coins & many many flowers. My mother would further beautify the space with her special kolams.

Appa would finish the decorations the previous night & my mother would draw the kolams in the morning. They would wake me up early in the morning, very unusual time for me. I would feel my father closing my eyes with his hand & holding me with the other leading me to the puja space. He would then ask me to open my eyes & look straight & heyy thatz me in the mirror reflection.

Yes! this is a tradition followed at my home & how much I miss to be with them today only I know. My heart beats faster thinking of the delicacies prepared today & all I could do today is write this quick post from work just in the middle of a coffee break. hmmmmmph!

Though I dont have much time in hand in the mornings on week days & with my husband travelling I am all the more demotivated to get up & cook, but I managed to prepare this Raisin Paal Payasam.

Sharing the recipe with you! Shall add the pic from home. Pic is now attached! :)

Look for:

• Milk - 1 ltr. (full cream)
• Rice - Qtr Cup
• Semiya/Sevaiyya/Thin vermicelli - Qtr Cup
• Sugar - As per taste
• Raisins - 2 tbsp
• Cardamom Powder - a pinch
• Rose essence - few drops

Method:
Quickly par boil the rice. I used the microwave & set it on full power (P100) for 7 mts.
Meanwhile, set the milk to boil & after some 10 mts add the sugar & cardamom powder to this along with the par boiled rice. let it cook for another 10 mts & add the vermicelli & raisins to this. Add the rose essence & simmer for 5 more mts & keep stirring. Remove from heat & empty in a serving bowl & garnish with some more raisins. This is a nutritious breakfast too! ;)


Note:

• If you do not want to mix the rice & vermicelli both then prepare separately in the same method
• Add some almonds & cashews if you wish  - I didnt want to add almonds as I munch some every day at work
• You may add some rose petals to this just before removing from heat & let it cool for a while so as to get the taste of the rose petals