If kheer is fondly eaten for dessert in north India, payasam finds favour among south Indians. Coconut and milk-based traditional dessert, sweetened with jaggery (instead of sugar), this healthy sweet dish is perfect to satiate your sweet tooth without feeling guilty. Banana payasam is a unique, fruity version of the classic payasam that brims with the goodness of the popular fruit and appeases our palate with the creaminess of coconut milk.
Known as pazham pradhaman in Kerala, nenedram banana payasam is something we all should try to experience the deliciousness of this rich and sweet decadent. Here's an easy recipe of banana payasam that you can make at home with coconut milk. If you want, you can even make coconut milk from scratch by blending coconut pieces with water and straining it to obtain its dense milk. Fried dry fruits are also added to payasam for some crunchiness and added nutty flavour.
(Also Read: 5 Easy Payasam Recipes You Can Try At Home)
Banana is the most commonly-used fruit for desserts.
Banana Payasam Recipe:
Ingredients:
(Serving - 2)
2 bananas
4 cups coconut milk
Half cup jaggery
2 cardamom pods, powdered
A pinch of cumin powder
4-5 coconut slices
1 tbsp cashew nuts
1 tbsp raisins
Ghee (clarified butter for frying and cooking)
Method:
Step 1- Heat jaggery in a pan with some water for it to dissolve. Keep the jaggery syrup aside.
Step 2- Peel the bananas, cut them into small pieces and mash them with a fork.
Step 3- In a pan, heat ghee and fry cashews, raisins and coconut slices till they change colour to light brown. Place them on a kitchen towel to absorb excess oil.
Step 4- In the same pan, add mashed banana and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously. Add jaggery syrup and let it cook with banana for 15-20 minutes.
Step 5- Add coconut milk, cardamom powder and cumin powder and let it all simmer on low flame for about 5 minutes.
Step 6- Garnish with fried coconut slices, cashews and raisins, and serve hot.
Banana payasam is ideal to serve your family a healthy and refined sugar-free dessert. Do try this easy recipe for a hearty post-meal or festive sweets affair.