Aval Paayasam

Aval is beaten/flattened rice flakes. Here is a kheer/paayasam/dessert that's often prepared during festive occasions. The recipe comes from my mother-in-law.

 Ingredients (serves 4):

1. 1/4 cup aval / beaten rice flakes
2. 3 cups milk
3. 1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar (add 1/2 cup if you prefer slightly mild sweetness)
4. a pinch of saffron
5. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
6. 1 teaspoon ghee / clarified butter
7. few cashews and raisins

Preparation:

1. Dry roast the aval on medium heat until it slightly begins to brown. 
2. Remove from heat, and transfer to a small saucepan. Add 3/4 cup of water and cook the aval in medium heat until it is almost cooked. 
3. To this add milk and continue to cook on medium heat for about 25-30 minutes, stirring now and then and making sure the milk doesn't boil over or scald and burn. 
4. As the milk reduces, dry some cashews and raisins in a teaspoon of ghee until the cashews turn golden brown. Remove from heat and keep separately.
5. When the aval is completely cooked (test by mashing one with your fingers) and the milk has reduced a little, add sugar and continue to stir and heat for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. 
6. Remove from heat. Garnish with cardamom, saffron, and the fried cashews and raisins.

Serve hot, at room temperature, or chilled! 

Note: Another way to prepare this paayasam is to coarsely grind the roasted aval before cooking it in water and milk. It makes for a thicker dessert.