Aval Payasam

Wishing all readers a happy Janmashtami. Praying for more love, peace and happiness in all your homes.

“Pathram Pushpam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktya Prayachati Tad Aham Bhaktyupahritam Ashnami Prayatatmanaha.” “If one offers to me with Love and devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.” Bhagwad Gita, 9.26.

The humble aval, poha, beaten rice has a legendary status in Lord Krishna’s life. His childhood friend, Sudama, redeemed himself by offering a handful of beaten rice when they met after several years. It is said that Lord Krishna relished this offering of Love and Surrender so much that Sudama’s poverty stricken home was turned into a palace of riches, after the Lord accepted this offering.

Here is a recipe for Aval Payasam for Janmashtami. Let us try to make it and offer it to the Lord with single-minded devotion and Love. For He is most fond of a devotee’s Love.

 

ALLERGY INFORMATION

• Contains milk (lactose). Not suitable for lactose intolerant people.
• Does not contain gluten, soya, corn.

Preparation time – 10 minutes, Cooking time – 30 minutes,  Serves - 4

YOU NEED

COOKWARE – Heavy bottomed sauce pan, ladle

INGREDIENTS

1. 1/4 cup red aval/poha/beaten rice*
2. 1 litre whole milk
3. 1 cup sugar
4. 1/4 teaspoon ghee

METHOD

1. *Aval can be thick or medium aval. Do not use thin flat aval. If using thick aval, rinse under running water and soak for 10 minutes. If using medium aval, rinse under running water and add directly to boiling milk.
2. Bring the whole milk to boil in a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Once the milk is on a rolling boil, drain water from the soaking aval, and add the soaked/rinsed aval to the milk. Keep stirring over low to medium flame to avoid charring at the bottom of the pan. Keep mashing the aval as you stir. This lends a creamy texture to the payasam.
3. When the milk is reduced to half its volume, switch off flame and add sugar. Stir in the sugar gently until fully dissolved.
4. Return milk to flame, keep stirring over medium to high flame for 4-5 minutes more.
5. Switch off flame and cover with a tight lid.
6. Add 1/4 teaspoon of ghee before offering this to God.
7. Creamy aval payasam tastes good hot or at room temperature.