Sarkara Payasam

Ingredients:- 

1. Payasam rice / unakkalari / short grain rice -  1/2 cup
    Water  - 1 cup
2. Ghee – 1/4  cup
3. Grated coconut – 1/2 – 3/4 cup 
4. Jaggery – 1 cup 
5. Cashews and raisins - 2 tbsp each (Optional)
6. Thenga kothu – 2 tbsp (Optional)  
7. Cardamom powder – 1  pinch

Method

1. Cook the rice in a mankalam or any vessel with water added

2. Melt jaggery in 1/2 cup of water, strain to remove any impurities andadd it to yhe Kalam

3. Add cooked rice and add ghee little by little, stirring continuously so that it will not stick to the pan.

Add grated coconut and mix well. Cook on medium - low flame until thickened. Add cardamom powder and dry ginger powder.

4. Heat 1 tsp ghee in a small pan. Fry the thenga kothu, cashews and raisins. Pour over the payasam. Serve warm. This payasam is usually served in small portions as it is quite heavy.