Khus-Khus Payasam is a pudding made with poppy seeds, coconut, milk,
and mixed nuts. The poppy seeds lend this payasam a delicate flavor and
taste, and the nuts, coconut, and milk make it a healthy dessert. This
is one of my favorites.
Servings: 8-12 Cooking Time: 60
minutes
Ingredients
8 cups whole milk (or low-fat milk)
3 cups sugar (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup khus-khus (poppy seeds) soaked for 1 hour
1/4 cup coconut, freshly grated
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder (jaadhikai)
Saffron (kesar, kunguma poo), a few strands
10-15 cashew nuts (soaked overnight)
1/2 cup almonds, soaked overnight, peeled, and
chopped into small pieces
Preparation
In a blender, blend the khus-khus, coconut, cashews,
and almonds into a smooth paste with a little water.
Soak a few strands of saffron in a little hot milk.
In a large saucepan, add the milk and let it come to
a boil. Add the ground paste, and
cook on medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it
from burning at
the bottom.
Cook until the milk
has thickened a bit.
Add the sugar and let cook for 10 more minutes,
stirring frequently.
Add the saffron milk and the nutmeg powder; cook for
a minute and remove from heat. Garnish with fried raisins, if desired.