Thengai payasam is a traditional south Indian dessert made with fresh coconut as main ingredient. Also known as arisi thengai payasam, it has a little rice, jaggery for sweetening and cardamom for flavour.
This payasam is made often during festivals like puthandu, Navarathri, aadi month fridays and as offereings in regular fridays.
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This is a staple recipe at my periyamma's (aunt) place. Mom and MIL makes it as well. I think it's not that common recipe people usually make. I too have tried this for first time now.
With Tamil New Year coming up, I thought of posting this recipe as it would help some of you to make it on the puthandu. I liked this payasam for its unique taste and flavor and simple ingredients.
In my childhood I never had it much as this payasam is too sweet with jaggery, as I was not a big fan of jaggery then. But it's perfect if its taken along a full course meal towards the end. Do check out other payasam recipes, you can make one for the festival. And Happy Ugadi to all who ever celebrating 🙂
Click here to read thengai payasam in tamil
Stepwise photos
1. First soak rice in water for an hour before preparing the payasam. Grind it with coconut and ¼ cup water, to a paste.
2. Mix the ground coconut paste with 2 cups water and bring to boil. Cook in medium flame for 10 - 12 minutes. Do not forget to stir in between to avoid burnt bottom.
3. Meanwhile, heat approx. ½ cup water and dissolve jaggery in it. Filter in a metal strainer to remove any impurities. Make sure the syrup is not too watery. So use less water.
4. Now, the coconut and rice would have got cooked (should be a thick porridge like consistency). Add the jaggery syrup and powdered cardamom to it. Mix well.
5. Bring to boil and switch off the flame. Heat ghee in a pan and roast the cashews, broken, to golden brown and transfer to the payasam and mix well. Add milk lastly after 5 minutes of time.
Delicious, super flavourful thengai payasam is what you have now! Enjoy hot!
Recipe card
Thengai Payasam, coconut payasam recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Grated coconut
- 3 tablespoon Raw rice
- ¾ cup Jaggery You can add this as per your taste
- 1 Cardamom
- 8 Cashew nuts
- ¼ cup Milk boiled & cooled(optional)
- 1 tablespoon Ghee
Instructions
- Firstly, soak rice in water for an hour before preparing the payasam.
- Then, grind it with coconut and ¼ cup water, to a paste.
- After that, mix the ground paste with 2 cups water and bring to boil. Cook in medium flame for 10 - 12 minutes. Do not forget to stir in between to avoid burnt bottom.
- Meanwhile, heat approx. ½ cup water and dissolve jaggery in it. Filter in a metal strainer to remove any impurities. Make sure the syrup is not too watery. So use less water.
- Now, the coconut and rice would have got cooked (should be a thick porridge like consistency). Add the jaggery syrup and powdered cardamom to it. Mix well.
- Bring to boil and switch off the flame.
- Heat ghee in a pan and roast the cashews, broken, to golden brown and transfer to the payasam and mix well.
- Add milk lastly after 5 minutes of time.
Notes
- Adding milk is optional, but it adds richness. I have added boiled and cooled milk and add it lastly to avoid curdling of milk.
- The more you add rice, thicker the payasam will be. So add accordingly.
- I didn't add cardamom as Vj doesn't like it.
- While straining jaggery, pour slowly saving the last few drops as it has lots of fine impurities which may pass through a metal strainer too.
- You can add nuts of your choice and raisins too.
Unknown says
Was following ur blog for almost 6 months... Have tried Ragi adai, corn pulav, stuffed parathas, Poondu Kolambu, and much more.. Your way of depicting with pictures.. are really amazing!!
Will try out this payasam today.. Mouthwatering.. 🙂
Keep going..!
Chitz says
Yummy payasam.. Since it's jaggery & coconut, it must be quite rich 🙂 Loved the shots 🙂
Brahadeeshwaran Krishnamurthy says
mm mm!tasty
Nagalakshmi V says
i haven't had this before but sure would love it since i love jaggery!
Akila says
Once had it in a temple... Really very very sweet... Will
Try to reduce the sweet n do
AparnaRajeshkumar says
lovely boxes 🙂
Dipti Joshi says
New recipe for me..will try it soon..
Niv says
never heard of this one, will try this one this new year!
Sreekala Anand says
A very yummy mouthwatering payasam..... Instead of fried cashews, try coconut pieces(thengai keer)fried in ghee.... gives it a very unique flavour....
Sri Love says
First time ever seeing a thengai payasam..wow!!!! This is sure a yummy treat for Tamil Puthandu...
Shama Nagarajan says
semma tempting raji
Kaveri Venkatesh says
My Mil usually makes this payasam...Looks yum!
Anu says
Delicious payasam, never had this, looks sooooooo tempting.
Veena Theagarajan says
yummy and new one for me
divya says
Lovely and inviting pictures.. Truly delicious !!
Revathi says
delicious and totally new to me will try out
Priya Suresh says
Colour of the payasam itself is very pleasing.
Shanavi says
My paati used to make this every friday for doing pooja..Nostalgic moments for me..Right colour, right texture..superb
Gayathri Ramanan says
payasam looks yummy..
JEYASHRI SURESH says
I love this payasam, and it has been ages since i made this. Looks bright and tempting too
Sharmilee! :) says
I love any coconut based payasam....this looks very rich and tempting too!!
Vanamala Hebbar says
I do make this similar way...nice pics
Rads says
Wow yummy...never evr heard abt it..wil definately try it..:)
Mahi says
Payasam looks delicious Raji!
உங்களுக்கும் இனிய தமிழ்ப் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
Nithya Naveen says
Interesting Recipe Raks.. Happy Tamil New Year..
Priti S says
Looks delish with such combo ...Advance New Year wishes to you
Revathi says
Hi raks iniya tamil puthandu valthukal:)
RAKS KITCHEN says
Thanks Priti 🙂
RAKS KITCHEN says
Thank you Revathi and wish you the same 🙂
RAKS KITCHEN says
Thanks Mahi, wishing you the same!
RAKS KITCHEN says
Happy new year to you too Nithya
RAKS KITCHEN says
Thank you 🙂
Nilu A says
Yumm.. such a droolworthy payasam.. have never tried this before.. feel like having some right now.. I'm a new blogger... Do visit my blog.. http://kitchenserenity.blogspot.in/
Rama says
Tried it and came out well. very accurate measurements. Delicious payasam for this new year. Thanks Raks.
Laavanya says
Happy New Year Raks...
I don't think i've tasted this before but my husband loves coconut and jaggery so this would be perfect for him. Can't wait to try.
Divya Pramil says
Lip-smacking payasam..Lovely clicks looks super delicious..Thanks for the lovely comments at my space 🙂
Anonymous says
Traditionally and yummy Payasam
kavitha p says
I tried it today along added little semiya...so tasty...
Unknown says
Amazing recipes