Delicious Vella pongala payasam a white sweet rice pudding made with raw rice, milk, rock candy, ghee and cardamom.
This recipe is close to my heart, and it from my hometown Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala, India. During the month of Feb/March all women in Thiruvanthapuram take a day-long escape from domestic responsibilities to celebrate Attukal Pongala. This year it is on February 20th. I want to create the recipes for pongala as keepsake in this my blog. I already posted Pongala payasam/ sweet rice pudding, Mandaputtu/Mungbean and rice steamed balls. This time I decided to make Vella pongala payasam/white rice pudding.
Attukal pongala is held on the Pooram day in the Malayalam month of Kumbha, when the sun shines at its peak. In the blazing sun and palls of smoke billowing from the hearths, devotees make sweet rice concoctions in their pots (usually new earthen pot) to offer to the Goddess. Temporary stoves made from bricks and dried coconut palm leaves are used as fuel for the fire. Read more from here.
I had asked my friend Suja as she is also from Thiruvanthapuram to check with her mother for recipe. I have gone as helper to my mother for Attukal pongala. Never did pongala alone. This is a unique recipe made with rice, milk, rock candy/Sugar, ghee, banana and cardamom. Rice is most important and prominent where rest is part of it.
You need 5 items along with rice to make this Vella pongala payasam/Sweet rice pudding. Even though pongala payasam made with rice and jaggery is most common that people make during the pongala, some will also make this vella pongala with other ingredients like fresh coconut instead of Banana.
Then there is another dish called Vella choru, made with rice, freshly grated coconut and thulasi leaves (Holy basil). They don’t even add any salt to it, I will try to make that recipe sometime later.
Pongala payasam/Sweet rice pudding is offered in the belief that God will be pleased with you, whereas Vella pongala paysam is offered to Goddess for fulfilling some wishes. Mandaputtu is offered to heal head and hair related diseases.
When all the offerings are cooked, a sweet aroma filled with devotion and prayers fill the air and make it a divine experience. Here is my recipe of Vella pongala payasam/ White rice pudding.
Vella pongala paysam /White rice pudding
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup/75g Raw rice
- 3 cup water
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoon rock candy/ sugar
- 1 teaspoon ghee
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ¾ banana
Instructions
- First boil the water in the pot.
- Then add a handful of rice for first 3 times, then add rest of rice and cook.
- Make sure not stir until it boils over.
- Once it is boil over continue to cook until rice is almost over cooked.
- Then add milk and mix and cook for 5 minutes.
- Then add ghee and rock candy /sugar then cardamom and cook until everything combined well and the payasam get thickened well
- Then add small banana cut it into thin round and mix well.
- It is ready for offering.
Nutrition
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This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Bindu Thomas says
This looks great and variety of rice pudding. Thanks for sharing.
Harshad says
I am a huge fan of Payasam. Thanks for sharing this traditional recipe, Swathi!
Diana says
I like that this has the banana and cardamomI find the both flavors really pay up one another very well. The texture is light yet filling! I much try this soon !
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
What a beautiful story and post. I've never tried this but now I'm so curious. Thanks for sharing the recipe and also the touching story related to it.
Shweta koul says
I have heard about paysam, but never got a chance to taste it. well thanks for sharing this recipe, I'm going to cook it.
Dalene Ekirapa says
I've always appreciated meals that are custom to traditions in a place so I must say that this sweet rice pudding is one I'd enjoy if I visited Kerala. I'd love it prepared with coconut water.
Sigrid Says says
Hmmm I am not very fond of rice pudding, basically because I don't like my rice soggy. But that's just me. If I get to visit India, I will surely try this though/
Alexandra Cook says
I've never had a dish like this before. It looks so good, I would love to give it a try!
Gavin says
I LOVE rice pudding!! I might have to try this way out soon
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
This looks so amazing! I have to be honest, the color throws me a little. But, after seeing what's in it, I want it! Looks great!
Success Recepies says
WHITE RICE PUDDING - reminds of my dadi amma. Thank you very much for bringing back my sweet memories 🙂
GladysNava says
Wow! This is something unique for me and I love always a new recipe. I will give this a try!
Heather says
Such an interesting history of this dish. I love hearing stories like this, food says so much about ones culture and such a great way to bring people together. I've never had a rice pudding before, the recipe looks very simple to make.
Lynndee says
I remember having rice pudding before, but I think it didn't have banana in it. This looks good. Would love to try it.
Binge on Basics says
I am a huge fan of paysam. One of my friends from Kerala used to get me homemade paysam and since then I love this dish.
Danielle Wolter says
i've never had this, but love the flavors of banana and cardamon so this sounds just delicious. And also easy to make which is a huge plus!
Glenda Cates says
I love trying new recipes with my family and I can't wait to make this for us to try this weekend. Thank you for sharing the recipe with us.
Chubskulit Rose says
My husband always brags about how good his Mom's rice pudding was but I never got to learn how to make it. I would like to try your recipe, thanks.
Catalina says
I love rice pudding so much. I make it very often during the weekends. The addition of banana and cardamom makes it irresistible!
Sundeep says
I am feeling hungry after seeing this post. I heard alot about vella pongala. But never heard about this dish. I will definitely give a try. Thanks for the recipe
thewayfaringredhead says
I love how this recipe has such a close meaning to you as well. Sounds like a great new thing to try!
Heather says
I haven't had rice pudding in so many years! I'll have to make some soon for my kids.
Terri Steffes says
What a beautiful and tasty dish. I believe my husband would love this. He loves rice pudding so much!
kumamonjeng says
Glad to learn about this recipe and some history. It is interesting to have banana added into this recipe and I guess it would be so yummy as it is also a good ingredient for dessert.
Scott Gombar says
Looks similar to the way they make rice for kids in the Carribean, and I always eat some. Thanks for sharing.
Chad says
I love trying new recipe! Will definitely try yours next week, thanks a lot.
Chad
http://www.mosaicslab.com
Tara Pittman says
This would be a great treat for my family. I have rice so I should make it.
Natalia says
You always propose such exotic recipes. I just love trying them out! Can't wait to prepare it for my friends at the weekend! 🙂
Cristina Petrini says
I think I should try because I have a bad relationship with the pudding, I tried it and I do not like it at all ç_ç
Melissa Chapman says
I have always loved rice pudding but have not made it lately. This recipe looks so good and a real treat for the family.
Brandy says
I have never had anything like this before. Thank you for sharing it, I will most definitely be giving it a try!
Tasheena says
This is my first time learning about this pudding. I can't wait to give it a try.
Emerald Lavender says
I’ve tried a different variety of rice pudding before and loved it! The ingredients in this recipe are pretty similar, so I know it’s delicious!
candy says
I have never had this type of rice pudding ever in my life. Interesting with all the sugar and served at a treat I am guessing.
cait says
i am always up for trying new recipes and this looks actually really interesting to make- im a fan of white rice pudding so i wonder if the rest of my family would be interested ha- thanks for this!
GiGi Eats says
What an interesting recipe!! I feel like I have seen something like this in the past, but never a recipe for it! Looks rather tasty and comforting if you ask me!
Joan says
I have never heard of this dish but I do like trying out new dishes. This looks good to try out.
Alli Smith says
I think I have everything on hand to make this recipe. It looks lovely and I can't wait to try it.
Jeanette says
I have never heard of this dessert before. I mean I've heard of rice pudding before, but not all the stuff that you put in it. It sounds like it would be mouthwatering.
Amber Myers says
I don't think I've ever had rice pudding before. I need to! This sounds and looks really delicious.
Danielle Wolter says
i just love finding new recipe for foods I'm not familiar with. I totally want to try this, looks amazing!