Lotus seeds Payasam

This year's Diwali special sweet is here.. I have used Lotus seeds in this recipe, which is high in protein and fibre. If you want to know more about the health benefits of these lotus seeds, please click on the ncbi link . For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients

1/2 cup lotus seeds

4 cups - whole milk/ milk of your choice

1 cup - water

3/4 cup - sugar

5 to 10 - saffron strands

cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

ghee - 2 tbsp

2 thsp - freshly ground almond powder (just powder unroasted 7 to 8 almonds with skin)

a few almonds, cashew nuts and golden raisins

Heat ghee in a deep pan, and fry the nuts and keep them aside. In the same ghee, fry the lotus seeds in low flame, until they turn crunchy. You should be able to crush them between your fingers, then it is done. This may take about 10 minutes.

Now, take a few of the roasted seeds and keep them aside. We will use it later in the recipe.

Now, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of milk and let it cook until the seeds are soft and mushy. Make sure, you keep stirring to avoid any burning of the milk. Now, add the remaining milk and the saffron strands and allow it to boil in low flame. Slowly the milk will turn to a pale yellowish color because of the saffron. I have not added any artificial color. The color from adding the saffron itself, makes it look yummilicious.

Now, using a mortal and pestle, crush the roasted seeds that we kept aside and add them along with the freshly powdered almonds and cardamom powder and mix it well. Let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes in low flame.

Switch off the flame and garnish with the roasted nuts. You can serve it hot or cold, but it tastes the best when served chill. Enjoy!

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