Happy Onam!!

Today is big celebration for Malayee, South Indian.The most important things about Onam are the onakkodi, the new dress worn on this day and onam sadhya, a feast which is quite elaborate. This is usually a feast served on banana leaves and serves rice along with at least an array of 4 dishes. Traditional pickles and papadam are also served . Dessert - is usually 'payasam ' a sweet dish made of milk, sugar and other traditional Indian savories.

During Onam, people create a multi-coloured floral decoration on the ground in the front of their home called pookkalam. Young children especially girls are often entrusted with the task of gathering and laying out the flowers in elaborate patterns. Competitions are held on onam day to create this floral design. It is usually 1.5m in Diameter usually in circular shape. A lamp is usually placed as part of the design.

The Vallamkali (the snake boat race) is another event that is synonymous with Onam. Well-known races include the Aranmula Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. About 100 oarsmen row huge and graceful snake boats and men and women come from far and near to watch the snake boats skim through the water.

This festival is also important because of its popularity with all communities within Kerala. Although the festival of Onam originated with, and is connected to the Hindu religion, it is celebrated today with equal fervour by the Hindus, Muslims and Christians of Kerala.

Last year i cooked 9 dish for onam festival, but today i didnt prepare anything yet because we have lunch invitation outside, gathering with some friends, collage and staff. Really its wonderful festival, i can see everywhere outside home, Indian woman wearing new sareee with jasmine flower as hair accesories. Last night, i prepare payasam "sweet rice puding" which is common dessert served on onam ocassion. This time i prepare another version of payasam, i made from broken red rice and milk.
There are somany varieties for payasam, instead rice, u can use daal, vermeseli and tapioka pearl.With the same recipe u can make differents payasam as well.

This another version of payasam which was i prepared before:



Recipe for payasam:

Raw rice 200 gr, 3 litre milk, 700 gr sugar ( u can make it less if doesnt like sweet) 50 gr cheshew nut, 50 gr raisin, 2 spoon ghee, 1 tsp cardamom powder

Heat ghee in then pan then saute raisin and chashew nuts until brown colour, drain set a side. Boil the milk. Add sugar and mix well. When it boils again, add the washed rice in it. Simmer in medium flame. Cook till the rice is done. Add cardamoms powder and spinkle with cashew nut and raisin. Serve hot/cold.