Vermicelli Payasam

Serves: 6

Eda Schinner

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

55

Spice

51

Sweetness

44

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.8

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Ghee

4 cups

Whole Milk

2 cups

Water

3 cup

Sugar

Directions:

1

In a large frying pan, heat 1 teaspoon ghee and pasta over medium heat until all pieces have lightly brown and give off a toasted aroma

2

Set aside

3

In a 3 quart heavy saucepan, heat milk and water on medium high

4

As soon as the mixture boils, reduce heat to medium and add fried pasta

5

Continue to simmer for 6 minutes, or until pasta is well cooked

6

Add sugar and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking

7

When the mixture is done, it will have a creamy consistency

8

While the milk simmers, in the frying pan used for the pasta, fry the raisins and cashews in 2 teaspoons of ghee until lightly browned

9

Add the fried raisins and nuts and the cardamom to the milk, stir, and remove from the heat

10

Cover and chill for a few hours or more

11

Serve warm, reheating if necessary

12

In a heavy skillet, over medium to medium low heat, heat the butter until it is completely melted

13

Watch as the butter boils, first with large bubbles and white milk solids floating on the surface, then with only a fine white foam filling the entire surface

14

Stir occasionally

15

Soon, small patches of golden brown will appear on the surface, and the overall color of the butter will change from yellow to golden

16

Push aside the foam periodically to check the color of the sediment

17

When the sediment turns light brown, remove from the heat

18

(see note) Decant into a jar with a tight lid

19

Warm, if desired, for serving over rice

20

Note: If you heat until the sediment turns dark brown, the ghee will lose it's flavor and taste like vegetable oil

21

Yield: 1 cup