Semiya Payasam/Vermicelli Kheer

Semiya Payasam or Vermicelli Kheer is my go-to sweets. While growing up, my mom makes this often to celebrate any happy news regardless of whether it is small or big. This is such an easy recipe that doesn’t require any fancy ingredients and all the ingredients will be available at home.

If you are using roasted vermicelli, you don’t have to roast. Otherwise, I encourage you to dry roast vermicelli as it helps to keep the shape of vermicelli and doesn’t get mushy while cooking. Cook the roasted vermicelli in milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Then add brown sugar instead of white sugar as molasses in brown sugar gives the unique taste to the dish and gives nice color to the Payasam. Add roasted nuts and raisins along with cardamon powder. Tadaa Payasam is ready to be served!!

I used reduced milk (1%) in the recipe but you can use full fat or 2% milk depending upon how creamy you would like. Since we are cooking vermicelli in milk at-least for 20 minutes, milk does get reduced and gives you thick consistency. This recipe can be easily modified to increase or reduce the quantity.

You can serve the payasam hot or cold. I generally like it to have it cold so I will let it chill at-least for 4 to 6 hours. Whenever I make briyani or nice chicken dish, I like to have a bowl of payasam to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• Roasted Vermicelli – 1/2 cup
• Reduced fat milk 1% – 4 cups
• Brown sugar – 4 Tablespoon
• Ghee or clarified butter – 1/2 Tablespoon
• Cashews – 10
• Raisins – 1 Tablespoon
• Cardamom powder – 1/4 Teaspoon
• Salt – 1/4 Teaspoon

Steps:

1. In a wide pan, roast vermicelli for couple minutes in low flame
2. Add milk and let it cook in medium flame for 20 minutes. Keep stirring ever 2-3 minutes to avoid the burn in the bottom of the pan
3. Once it reaches the desired consistency add sugar
4. Mix well and let it cook for 2 mins
5. In a separate pan, add ghee and roast cashews and raisins
6. Add roasted cashews and raisins to Payasam and mix well
7. Add cardamom powder and salt and mix well

Payasam is ready to be served!!