The most unique dish I have experienced -MasterChef India 2 Contest

In any functions held in South India, the menu for the feast will be incomplete without 'Payasams'. If we attend the marriage ceremonies in Kerala, not one or two but several varieties of Payasams will be served.
What is Payasam?


Payasam (Sanskrit: क्षीर/Ksheer)(Hindi: खीर, Punjabi: ਖੀਰ, Khiri (ଖିରି) in Oriya, Urdu: کھیر/kheer) also known as Payasam (Tamil: பாயசம்) or Payesh (Bengali) (Malayalam: പായസം) (Kannada:ಪಾಯಸ) (Telugu:పాయసం) is a rice pudding, which is a traditional South Asian sweet dish. It is made by boiling rice or broken wheat with milk and sugar, and flavored with cardamom,raisins, saffron, cashewnuts, pistachios or almonds. It is typically served during a meal or also consumed alone as a dessert.
(Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kheer)
By now you must have  guessed what my favourite dish is.:-)


My favourite  and Unique Dish:

Last year on a Saturday evening, I  went to dine out with my family. After discussing various options, we decided to go to the Rasam Restuarant , a venture of the famous KrishnaSweets in Purasawalkam,Chennai. It is located in Raja Annamalai Rd, Purasawalkam , Chennai near Dharmaprakash Kalyana Mandapam.

Rasam Restuarant in Purasawalkam

In the Ground floor Krishna Sweets is functioning and Rasam Restuarnat is in the first floor. On entering the first floor, you will be surprised to see the serene environment of an Old Bungalow of yester years decorated with beautiful pictures.

                                              Thali Meals

This restaurant is famous for  the delicacies of Kongunadu like Murungai keerai Rasam(Drumstick soup), Nellikkai Rasam(Goosberry Soup) Vazhapoo vadai(Vada made of Bannana Flower),Kuzhi Paniyaram,Idiyappam, Vegetable briyani,  Paruthi Pal Halwa,Ilaneer(Tender Cocunut) payasam etc. They serve only thali meals for lunch. There are two options – a regular and a special. The regular thali has fewer items than the special but its quantity is far more ideal. Though the items are priced on the higher side, the taste of all the items are very good  and the items are made with less oil.  

We ordered for Murungai keerai rasam,Vazhapoo vadai, Kuzhi Paniyarams(both sweet and hot),Vegetable Briyani, and Ilaneer Payasam. It was the first time I tasted Ilaneer Payasam which was a Unique food item at that time. The taste was very good and later on  whenever I visited the Restaurant with my family, we never forget to order for this dish. I organised a get together of (about twenty persons)my college alumini friends (Loyola College, 1970 batch), in the restaurant and after tasting all the items my friends had a special word of  appreciation for Ilaneer Payasam.   

Now a days in most of the marriage receptions, this delicate item is included without fail. 

How to prepare Ilaneer Payasam?

Ilaneer Payasam

Ingredients:

Tender coconut kernels - 2 cups
Tender coconut water - 1 cup
Sweetened condensed milk - ½ a can
Milk - ½ cup
Thick coconut milk - 1 cup
Ground green cardamom - ¼ tsp.
Cashew nuts - 5 (whole)
Raisins - 8
Ghee - 1 tsp.

Method:
In a bowl mix tender coconut water, condensed milk, milk, coconut milk and ground cardamom.
Cut the tender coconut kernels into bite sizes and add to the liquid.
Fry the cashews and raisins and add to the kheer.
Enjoy and it’s good to eat it immediately.

(Source:  http://www.nandinisfood.com/2010/04/elaneer-payasamtender-coconut-kheer.html)

(Courtesy...Google Images for the pictures in this post.)

Enjoy tasting my favorite dish Ilaneer Payasam