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Ambalappuzha paal payasam
Slow-cooked rice milk pudding
അമ്പലപ്പുഴ പാൽപ്പായസം: rice and milk simmered for hours until pale pink and creamy
The Krishna temple at Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha is famous for one offering: a paal payasam of rice, milk and sugar boiled in huge bronze vessels until it turns a soft pink. Kerala families make a smaller pot at home for Vishu and Onam, and it is the simplest payasam there is, with no nuts, raisins or spice in the temple style. The colour comes only from long, patient simmering, as the milk sugars slowly caramelise. The common mistake is adding the sugar too early; the rice stays firm and the milk sticks to the base, so wait until a grain crushes to nothing between your fingers. It is ready when it has reduced by about half, coats the spoon thickly and has turned from white to a light rosy beige. Chef's tip: keep it at a steady, lively simmer rather than a low murmur, and stir right across the base every few minutes; the movement is what gives the creamy texture.
- Total time
- 150 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz raw short-grain rice (unakkalari)rinsed
- 6 ¼ cups full-fat milk
- 2 cups water
- 6 ½ oz sugar
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ¼ tsp ground green cardamom (optional)not used in the temple version
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Pour 6 ¼ cups full-fat milk and 2 cups water into a large, heavy pan (it should be no more than half full) and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring so it does not catch.
12 minStep 2: Add 2 ⅛ oz raw short-grain rice (unakkalari) and keep the payasam at a steady simmer for about 90 minutes, stirring right across the base every 3–4 minutes, until the rice is completely soft and the milk has thickened.
90 minStep 3: Stir in 6 ½ oz sugar. Keep simmering and stirring for another 35–40 minutes until the payasam has reduced by about half, coats the back of a spoon and has turned pale pink.
40 minStep 4: Stir in 1 tbsp ghee, and ¼ tsp ground green cardamom if you like, then take off the heat. It thickens as it cools; serve warm or at room temperature.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ambalappuzha paal payasam take?
- About 150 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 145 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of raw short-grain rice (unakkalari)?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of full-fat milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
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Perfect for:Onam & Vishu