Fry cashew nuts and raisins until they turn light golden brown.
10 whole Cashews, 20 - 30 Raisins
Take them out into a bowl and set it aside to use later.
Now add the vermicelli and roast just for half a minute stirring regularly.
1 Cup (or) 20 gms Roasted Vermicelli
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and add milk gradually stirring the vermicelli.
4 Cups Whole Milk (Full Fat Milk)
Simmer for around 8-10 minutes until the vermicelli is almost cooked.
Stir occasionally to prevent vermicelli from sticking to the base of the pot.
Once the vermicelli is almost cooked, add sugar and mix well.
1 Cup (or) 215 gms Sugar, small pinch Salt (optional)
Simmer for another 4-5 minutes or until vermicelli is soft and payasam thickens a little bit.
Now switch the heat off.
Now mix in fried cashews, raisins and cardamom powder and stir well.
1 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder
Turn off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Pour payasam in a bowl, garnish with almonds and enjoy!
5 Almonds
Notes
Roasting Vermicelli: I used ready-to-use roasted vermicelli, so I roasted it just for half a minute in ghee. If using raw vermicelli, roast it in ghee over medium-low heat for around 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. It enhances payasam's flavour and taste. When roasting vermicelli, be sure to stir it continuously to prevent burning.Milk Ratio: The ratio of milk to vermicelli determines the creaminess of the payasam. Use a higher ratio of milk to vermicelli to get flowing and creamy payasam.Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference. Remember that the sweetness will slightly reduce as the payasam cools down, so keep that in mind while adding sugar.** Nutritional information provided here is estimated and for guidance only.Please refer myRecipe Disclaimerfor more details.