Surprise!!!! A special occasion as this post marks 500 on my blog. I still remember, scratching my head how to proceed the first step of my blog. I had no clue how to do it, the benefits of blogging, or the joy it would bring me. I did not even know how to choose a name for my blog and just started it as a cookbook of mine. By the time, I felt to change my blog name, the search engines showed a good number of responses and I continued in the same banner, slowly it turned out to be of great help to the novice cooks, which now has earned a good recognition for me.
After my VRS from a bank, it started out as ‘just another thing’. Never did I think, 5 years before, when I first created my blog, that I would keep updating it for so long. Even some said me " A vegetarian blog??? that too traditional blog???. You cannot do it for more than 2 years." Regardless of what others think about me and my work, I’ve dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to each and every post, in cooking the correct texture and consistency of the dishes, taking photos and posting, which I think will be useful for the future generations at any point of time. I know, good bloggers post 500 posts in a year, but I do blogging as a useful timepass. I am feeling quite exciting and emotional right now because many of my readers now say they preserve my blog as a treasure of traditions.
It’s been a lovely journey so far, sharing whatever little I’ve learnt all the way, from my mother, grandma, from other blog friends and have also had the pleasure of knowing so many wonderful people from all over the world. It’s been a real pleasure to have known you all. Thanks to all my readers, who have been simply wonderful and have lent so much support. Thanks to all of you who mail me regularly and ask clarifications.
All over the world, good things come with a sweet. Shall we go in for a really something sweet for all of you? Luv you all.
NEIPAYASAM... Yes... A very sweet combination of rice, ghee and jaggery. This is a Kerala recipe offered in temples as prasadam. It is also prepared during poojas like bhagawath seva, sastha preethi etc.
The taste of the payasam will be heavenly. Keralites say it as as "kadu madhura payasam" meaning very very sweet. In Kerala, the nei payasam will be made in an uruli (a heavy brass utensil).
INGREDIENTS:
Raw rice - 1/3 cup
Ghee- 1/3 cup
Jaggery - 1 cup (preferably paahu vellam)
Cumin seeds - a pinch
Cashews- 10
Coconut - 2 teaspoons (cut into small pieces)
Water - a ladle
METHOD:
NOTE:
The Rice: Jaggery ratio is 1:3.
The rice when cooked in jaggery tends to become slightly hard. So, cook the rice well. DO NOT MASH THE RICE.
Wash well and pressure cook the rice. Dissolve jaggery in a ladle of water. Strain without any mud and allow the jaggery syrup to boil. Add the cooked rice, and stir without any lumps. Add a tablespoon of ghee. Keep on stirring. Add ghee at intervals and keep stirring. Cook till the mixture becomes glossy and saucy. (Do not over cook as it will become like kamarkat when cool).
In a pan, heat a spoon of ghee. Add finely chopped pieces of coconut. Fry till it browns. Keep aside. In the same pan, heat another spoon of ghee, add cuming seeds, when it sizzles add cashews and fry till golden brown. Garnish the payasam with roasted coconut, cumins and cashews. Kerala special Nei payasam is ready.
INGREDIENTS:
Raw rice - 1/3 cup
Ghee- 1/3 cup
Jaggery - 1 cup (preferably paahu vellam)
Cumin seeds - a pinch
Cashews- 10
Coconut - 2 teaspoons (cut into small pieces)
Water - a ladle
METHOD:
NOTE:
The Rice: Jaggery ratio is 1:3.
The rice when cooked in jaggery tends to become slightly hard. So, cook the rice well. DO NOT MASH THE RICE.
Wash well and pressure cook the rice. Dissolve jaggery in a ladle of water. Strain without any mud and allow the jaggery syrup to boil. Add the cooked rice, and stir without any lumps. Add a tablespoon of ghee. Keep on stirring. Add ghee at intervals and keep stirring. Cook till the mixture becomes glossy and saucy. (Do not over cook as it will become like kamarkat when cool).
In a pan, heat a spoon of ghee. Add finely chopped pieces of coconut. Fry till it browns. Keep aside. In the same pan, heat another spoon of ghee, add cuming seeds, when it sizzles add cashews and fry till golden brown. Garnish the payasam with roasted coconut, cumins and cashews. Kerala special Nei payasam is ready.
congrats jee keep rocking.. tis is a wonderful treat for the blog..
ReplyDeletecongrats aunty on your 500th post!!! Your blog is surely a treasure for so many authentic recipes.. keep doing the good work...
ReplyDeleteSowmya
Ongoing Event - HITS - Diabetic Friendly
Ongoing Event + Giveaway - Italian Dishes
Congrats Shantiji, Wish you many more years of successful blogging that brings you joy.
ReplyDeleteRemember having it in ayyapan temple..love it except am not too fond of the cumin in this.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Shanthi ... Keep going... Happy Blogging..
ReplyDeleteCongrats dear... very lovely payasam...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 500th post... Really a milestone... We want more and more traditional recipes from you Aunty... Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences in the cooking.
ReplyDeleteEvent: Dish name starts with R till April 15th and a giveaway
congrats on ur 500th post and just keep rocking as always. The nei payasam is aesome and tempting.
ReplyDeleteCongrats ,perfect way to celebrate,looks divine.
ReplyDeletecongrats on the 500th post..happy blogging
ReplyDeleteCongrats on our 500th post - and a wonderful treat to celebrate the day!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Akka, celebrationku suitana nei payasam, romba arumaiya irruku..Keep on going akka..
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 500th post, really a great milestone.Wish many many more to come. Perfect payasam to celebrate
ReplyDeletecongratulations on 500th post... that is such a big achievement... :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 500th post. Payasam looks yummy , i have tasted but never tried. bookmarked !
ReplyDeleteCongrats on ur 500th post...
ReplyDeleteCongrats on ur milestone,keep rocking...yummy dish!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 500th post. Wish you many more years of blogging. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteall the traditional recipes.
Congrats Aunty :) The quote mentioned in your blog is apt for you :) Awaiting more and more posts.
ReplyDeleteThe virtues of donations are great, because it helps the needy and at the same time it gives an opportunity to the donor to give the surplus to the people in need ” - Sama Veda
Hearty Congratulations,Shanthi.Nei payasam is a fitting and apt delicacy on this happy occasion.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Maami! I am an ardent follower and your recipes become many delicious dishes in my Kitchen. This is a big milestone and my best wishes to reach post 1000 very soon :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shanthi, congratulation on your 500th post. Keep up the good job.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week ahead.
hi!You have a nice blog and i have just started following you.It would be highly encouraging if you may follow me back.
ReplyDeletehttp://cookingwithsapana.blogspot.com
Thanks
Sapna
yummy and congrats akka!!
ReplyDeleteWow nice blog Shanthi Mam. And excellent recipe i am great fan of Kerala Recipes . Vacations here in Kerala become more memorable with the excellent cuisines of Kerala and this sweet dish payasam is a great delicacy to enjoy here .
ReplyDeleteJustKerala
congratulation on your 500th post..each and every post are very important for future generation..very traditional...you deserve a big applause from all bloggers...
ReplyDeleteHearty congratulations on your 500 th post. Truly a phenomenal milestone. It is there for all to see - your dedication, patience, meticulous manner of writing and posting apt recipes.
ReplyDeleteYou were the first person to leave a comment on my blog, something I'll cherish forever! Thank you for inspiring me too!
Rajani.
Congratulations Maami - hope you post another 500 soon and grow big in the blog world! Thank you personally from me for all the authentic iyengar recipes!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Amma. I love your recipes.. They are keepers !
ReplyDeleteCongrats akka on your 500th post..I wait for this payasam in Mangotukaavu temple in Kerala.Perfect recipe for your celebrations. Tempting me try this..!!
ReplyDeleteJust chanced upon your blog .Looking forward to a tasty experience.
ReplyDeletethank u sister very useful to me.
ReplyDeletethank u sister very useful to me when i prepare this payasam.
ReplyDelete