Do you remember the dates stuffed with a cashew in the Diwali gift boxes of yester-years? This payasam is something like that. Something I came up with on spur of the moment to prepare for my baby’s 9th month birthday today. Tough to believe that something this simple and quick can taste so good.
Date-Cashewnut Payasam
Makes 4 servings (small cups)
Time taken – Around 10 minutes
Date Cashewnut Payasam ready in ten minutes
A simple payasam naturally sweetened with dates and the flavour from cashews
Ingredients
- 500 ml milk cow's ( I used 3%)
- 8 dates , deseeded and sliced
- 10 - 12 cashews
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp cornflour milk mixed in the cold 1/4cups
- 4 tsps sugar
- Pinch saffron
Garnish -
- cashews raisins ghee broken into bits, few - sauteed in (1tsp )hot
- 4 cashews raisins for a minute on low flame till are golden and are puffed.
Instructions
- Keep the milk to boil in a heavy bottomed pan, and then let it simmer for 5 minutes or so.
- Meanwhile place the dates and cashews in a glass bowl with 1/2 cup water and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes till the dates are tender. Once cooled, grind this to a fine (or coarse, if you like) paste.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the milk and bring it to a boil. Then add the date-cashew paste, sugar and saffron. Let the mix simmer for 3-5 minutes and the payasam is ready.
- I don't usually add cornstarch to desserts, but I wasn't sure if the date paste would curdle the milk, while bringing it to a boil, hence the precaution.
- Garnish with the cashews and raisins toasted in ghee.
- This tastes good both warm and cold.
I have not had payasom for ages, this looks so yumm.
:-)I have a dabba of that stuff… should do something with it soon.This payasam is nice… but sadly, I’m not much of a payasam person. The date cashew combo is giving me some idea though.Happy birthday 🙂
Happy 9 months to your lil one.
Happy cook -Time to have some then :)Arundhati – dabba of what? Date paste aa? This wasn’t too payasam-like in taste- will it be too silly if i say ‘ it was different’ especially with the saffron chipping in its taste.Thanks a lot Jayashree
You’ve come back with a sweet and simple dish after a long while. Looks good. Will try out soon.
Hi Nandita, if I don’t microwave dates and cashwes, what is the alternative?
nandita,do u have more of spinach recipes? Is there any link in your blog for all of palak recipes. i mean its round up something like that?…like how u have WBB round up like that?
that looks so good! i love dates desserts n sweets
This sounds really good..nice idea of using dates..would love to try it.
I’m in the process of creating a food blog. Stumbled into yours just now. U have got a good collection of recipes. Keep up the good work!!
wow! I have date syrup! can’t wait to try this Date payasam. cool recipe! hows the lil boy doin?Sumi
Hi i want date…… Work From Home
This looks good. My mother used to make a desert with Seethaphal ( custard apple) in a similar manner. And I should try this too!
I love dates, I love cashews, and I love milk – so this one is sure to taste delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Looks mouthwatering!!!!!
This looks so good! Perfect and healthy for a 9 month infant too.
How about using custard powder instead of corn flour?
so, glad to have stumbled onto your blog. these recipes look divine.