Payasam Prasadams ~ Saggubiyyam - Semya Payasam

Probably, one of the most common and yummiest desserts that appears in most of the south Indian homes on every celebration has to be payasam / kheer. Also because of the simple preparation, it is one of the most favored 'prasadam'* item. Though this rich and creamy dish attains different avatars depending upon what it is made of, the milk base and the sugar / jaggery sweetener remains the constant factors of the dish. Cardamom happens to be the flavoring agent and raisins / nuts toasted in ghee serve as garnish besides adding the crunch.
After rice, probably sabudana kheer was the most traditionally prepared payasam. My mother sometimes happens to add vermicelli as well to the sabudana payasam and prepares this combo payasam that is equally delicious.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• Saggubiyyam ( Sago pearls / Sabudana) - 1/4 cup
• Semya (Vermicelli) - 1/4 cup
• Full fat milk - 1 .5 cups
• Sugar - 1/2 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
• Clarified butter / Ghee - 2 - 3 tsp
• Raisins & Cashew nuts - 1 Tbsp

How I prepare this payasam:

1. Fry vermicelli on low flame till it turns golden brown and keep it aside.
2. (I usually) soak sabudana in water for 1 or 2 hours before cooking. Throw away the water used to soak sabudana and wash twice with fresh water. This step is entirely optional but it aids in cooking the sabudana faster.
3. Cook sabudana in sufficient water (about 2 cups) till sabudana is cooked and appears transparent. Keep stirring in between so that sabudana doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. To avoid sticking and burning of sabudana, I usually use a nonstick saucepan. After the saabudana is cooked, throw away the water used to cook the sabudana.
4. Add milk to the sabudana and start cooking again. When the milk becomes hot, add the fried vermicelli. If you add vermicelli to the cold milk, it would clump up. Cook till the vermicelli is done and then add the sugar and the cardamom powder. When the sugar melts, turn off the stove.
5. Add ghee to a small saute pan and add the cashews and raisins. When raisins turn plump and cashews turn golden brown , turn off the stove and add them to the cooked payasam and stir once.
6. This payasam tastes good either cold or warm.