Creamy Cardamom Farina Payasam
This delightful Creamy Cardamom Farina Payasam is a comforting breakfast dish inspired by traditional East Indian recipes. Adapted from the beloved Laurel's Kitchen vegetarian cookbook, this version features lovely farina, also known as Cream of Wheat, which becomes irresistibly creamy when cooked with whole or rice milk. Infused with aromatic ground cardamom, sweet cane sugar, and mixed with toasted pistachios or almonds and plump raisins, this warm cereal is perfect for chilly mornings. Customize the thickness to your preference by adjusting the milk or cereal ratio. With its rich flavors and soothing texture, this payasam will surely become a breakfast favorite in your home.
N/A
Servings
190
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole milk or rice milk
1 cup (heated)
farina (Cream of Wheat) or brown rice meal
1/3 cup (none needed)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none needed)
butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (melted)
ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
unbleached cane sugar
1/2 tablespoon (to taste)
raw pistachios or raw almonds
2 tablespoons (chopped)
raisins
2 tablespoons (none needed)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, heat the whole or rice milk over medium heat until it is just about to boil.
2
Gradually whisk in the farina (or brown rice meal), using a fork to break up any clumps. Stir in the salt.
3
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer. Cook for 5 minutes if using farina or 10 minutes if using brown rice meal, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4
While the cereal is cooking, melt the butter in a small sauté pan over medium heat.
5
Add the ground cardamom and unbleached cane sugar to the melted butter, allowing it to toast for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
6
Incorporate the chopped pistachios or almonds and toast for an additional minute.
7
Toss in the raisins and heat the mixture until everything is warmed through, then remove from heat.
8
Once the payasam is cooked to your desired texture, gently stir the toasted nut and spice mixture into the cereal. Adjust sweetness with more cane sugar if desired.
9
Serve the payasam piping hot, garnished with additional nuts or raisins if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
20g
Carbs
4.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Cardamom Farina Payasam?
It is a comforting breakfast dish inspired by traditional East Indian recipes, featuring farina cooked in milk and flavored with cardamom, nuts, and raisins.
What is the primary cereal used in this recipe?
The recipe uses farina, also known as Cream of Wheat, or brown rice meal as an alternative.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients required to make this dish.
What types of milk can be used?
You can use either whole milk or rice milk depending on your preference.
How long does it take to cook the farina?
Farina takes approximately 5 minutes to cook once added to the hot milk.
How long does brown rice meal take to cook if used instead of farina?
Brown rice meal requires a longer cooking time of about 10 minutes.
How many calories are in one serving of this payasam?
One serving contains approximately 190 calories.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The dish contains 11 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in the Creamy Cardamom Farina Payasam?
Each serving provides 4.5 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count for this recipe?
There are 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly breakfast cereal recipe.
What nuts are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using chopped raw pistachios or raw almonds.
What spice provides the main aromatic flavor?
Ground cardamom is used to infuse the dish with its characteristic aroma.
How do you prevent clumps from forming in the cereal?
Gradually whisk in the farina and use a fork to break up any clumps that may appear.
What type of sweetener is used?
The recipe calls for unbleached cane sugar.
Can the sweetness be adjusted?
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more cane sugar to your preference.
What is the origin of this recipe's inspiration?
It is adapted from Laurel's Kitchen vegetarian cookbook and inspired by traditional East Indian flavors.
How should the payasam be served?
It should be served piping hot, optionally garnished with additional nuts or raisins.
What is the purpose of the butter in this recipe?
Butter is melted and used to toast the cardamom, sugar, and nuts to enhance their flavor.
Can I make this dish vegan?
Yes, by using rice milk and substituting the butter with a vegan alternative or oil.
How can I change the thickness of the payasam?
You can customize the thickness by adjusting the ratio of milk to cereal.
Do I need to toast the raisins?
The raisins are added to the warm nut and spice mixture just to heat them through before mixing into the cereal.
Is salt included in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is added to the cereal while it simmers.
What category of food does this fall into?
It is categorized as a breakfast cereal and a comfort food.
Is this a good recipe for winter?
Yes, its warm temperature and rich spices make it a perfect breakfast for chilly mornings.
How much butter is used?
The recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons of butter.
How long should I toast the cardamom and sugar?
They should be toasted in the melted butter for about 2 minutes.
Does this recipe contain fiber information?
The provided nutritional data does not list a specific fiber count.
Is the recipe easy to follow?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for home cooks.
What equipment do I need?
You will need a medium saucepan for the cereal and a small sauté pan for the nut and spice mixture.