
01
Paal Paysam
Sweets
Pal Payasam - a Tamil creamy rice pudding cooked in milk.
Rice cooked slowly in milk and sugar in the cooker until thick and creamy.



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AMMAMMA'S NOTES.

Rice
1/4 cup, washed

Milk
6 cups

Sugar
2 cups
01
Take the washed rice in a cooker, add the milk and sugar directly.
02
Cook with the whistle on, keeping the stove on a very low flame.
03
Allow it to cook until the cooker steam is released on its own.
04
Remove from the cooker - the Paal Payasam is ready. The stove should stay on sim throughout.




Paal Adai Paysam
Steamed rice adai simmered in milk with sugar and elaichi — a festival paysam.
learn more

Sakara Pongal
Sakkarai Pongal - a Tamil sweet rice and jaggery pudding.
learn more

THE DISH THAT MRS. JAYALAKSHMI WAS KNOWN FOR — HER SECRET RECIPE, HER MAGIC, NO ONE COULD EVER TELL. I FOUND OUT THE EXACT RATIO A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT FORGOT ENTIRELY, AFTER EVERYTIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS MY STUPIDITY, OR HER WAY OF MAKING SURE THE RECIPE STAYED WITH HER. THE TRICK IS A COOKER MUCH BIGGER THAN THE PAYSAM AMOUNT, SO ITS RED COLOUR COMES OUT BEAUTIFULLY. NO ONE'S EVER MADE IT LIKE HER; IT WAS TRULY LOVE, MILK AND SUGAR IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WAY POSSIBLE.























YAMINI VENKATESAN
WHAT'S FOR LUNCH, 2026