AVAL PAYASAM

This is one of the simple and easy payasam that can be prepared in no time.This can be prepared as a Neivedhyam for Krishna jayanthi and Navarathri too when we are pressed for time

Ingredients
Aval/Poha/Rice Flakes: 1/2 cup
Milk:1 cup
Powdered Jaggery: 1/2 cup
Cashew: 6
Raisin: 4 (optional)
Cardamom: 2 pods
Ghee: 2 tsp

Procedure:
Step1:
Add 2 tsp of ghee in a pan and fry the cashews and raisin and keep it aside

Step3:
In the same pan fry the rice flakes until it becomes light fluffy. If you use thick variety this will take little long. 

Step4:
Add milk and simmer for around 5 minutes.Switch off the stove and allow to cool for a while.
Meanwhile boil 1/4 of water and just melt the jaggery 

Step5:
Now add the jaggery syrup and powdered cardomom and mix well

Step6:
Add the fried cashew and raisin

Notes:
The major problem with using jaggery is, the payasam will curdle if jaggery is added when it is still hot
Once the aval is cooked in milk, switch off the flame and allow it to cool for atleast 5 minutes.Similarly jaggery syrup should also not be piping hot.Both can be warm but not hot
When jaggery and milk are mixed when both are hot,the payasam will definetly curdle
If you are in a hurry, use sugar instead of jaggery. If adding sugar no need to wait until the payasam is cooled.This will also taste equally good