Vella Aval Payasam (Kerala)

I am sure many are familiar with the Tamilnadu style quick aval payasam (kheer). I am narrating a different version of aval payasam prepared in some parts of Kerala and villages near Kerala border (where we get more coconut and palm sugar.). We add coconut in almost everything in our food. This aval payasam should be prepared with coconut milk and jaggery (White sugar and milk for TN aval payasam).  Here I have added Indian brown sugar (vellam), but we can add palm sugar (karuppatti) instead, if we can get it.I made this for Xav, when he reminded me how much he enjoyed the different kinds of payasams that were served in his brither&SIL's wedding.On seeing his expression on the first sip, I understood that I made this dish perfectly :)

Vella aval payasam

Ingredients:
thick Poha / red Aval - 1 cup
jaggery (or)palm sugar- 1 cup
ghee - 2 tbsp
coconut milk - using 3 tbsp powder
sliced coconut - 2 tbsp
cashew - 10
raisin - 10
cardamom - 2
dry ginger powder (sukku) -  1/2 tsp

Method:
Fry the aval in 1 tsp ghee. Take it out.
In 1 tsp ghee fry coconut pieces, cashew, raisin . Keep aside.
In a vessel add the crushed jaggery and 1/2 cup water. Boil and let it dissolve. Remove any impurities (at bottom).
Prepare thick coconut milk using powder (1/4 cup water) or extract fresh coconut milk using 1/2 coconut.
In another vessel bring to boil 1 cup water and cook aval for  minute.

Add jaggery syrup, coconut milk, dry ginger powder, crushed cardamom. Bring it to a boil.
Add fried coconut, cashew, raisin and switch off.
Aval payasam is ready!

Serving suggestion:
Serve warm or at room temperature as dessert.

Happy Valentine's day,

Happy St.Valentine's day !

Happy St.Valentine's day! May Peace and Love be showered by God on all !

Strawberries and red roses from hubby for Valentine's day

I made this greetings for my hubby dear.

Hi friends,
Here are some quotes I like very much. Sharing them with you all on this Valentine's day.

* John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

* John 3:16  “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 * Do for other people everything you want them to do for you.

* John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Flowers, corelle dinnerware, ice cream scoop and carrot shredder...appreciating my Xav's thoughtful gifts:)

Gifts from my Xav:)

Ladoo..my homemade gift for hubby.

May everyday be Valentine's day in our life,
Happy St.Valentine's day !
Love,
Viki