Aadi Paal

This is a payasam made of coconut milk and jaggery and is a must have on the Aadi pandigai (the first day of the tamil month of Aadi.). This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients

• 3 cups Coconut Milk 
• 1 cup powdered Jaggery
• A pinch of Cardamom powder
• A pinch of Saffron (Optional)
• A handful of Cashews broken to bits
• A handful of Raisins
• A handful of Almonds broken to bits
• 1 tsp Ghee

Method

1. Heat ghee in a thick bottomed vessel. Add the cashews, raisins and almonds and roast them till they turn a golden brown and keep these aside.
2. Add around 1/4 cup water to the jaggery and microwave it on high for 3 min till the jaggery melts. Strain it and add to the hard bottomed vessel and heat on medium high till the jaggery liquid thickens and froths up.
3. Reduce the heat to low and add the coconut milk extract, cardamom powder and saffron. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes.
4. Add the roasted nuts and raisins and serve!