Part 3/8:
Crafting the Dish: Ingredients and Method
To prepare payasam, we will follow a somewhat simplified version based on the general principles outlined in the Mānasollāsa. While many modern variations include a plethora of spices, nuts, and raisins, we will keep it straightforward, using the essential ingredients:
Rice: 100 grams of small-grain rice (like kalijeera)
Milk: 1 liter of whole milk
Jaggery or Sugar: 150 grams of grated jaggery or 100 grams of sugar
Spices: 5 ground cardamom pods and 10 to 15 threads of saffron
The preparation begins with washing and soaking the rice for approximately 20 minutes. Milk is then brought to a boil, after which the soaked rice is added, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes.