#9 : Saggubiyyam Payasam ~ Indian Tapioca pudding

"Saggubiyyam Payasam", what can say ? I have such wonderful memories of this Indian Pudding. As a kid I spent my summer vacations with my dads parents in Vijayawada and my grandmother used to make this dessert very often . I still remember the little me trying to  assist my grand mom , pounding up the cardamom and frying the cashews and the raisins. Oh,good old days.

I jotted the below recipe from my mom in law when she was visiting us last year . I can never say no to a warm cup of Saggubiyyam Payasam .

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup small Tapioca
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1/4 cup or more Sugar
• 7 Cardamom pods
• 10-12 Cashews
• 10-12 Raisins
• 1 Tbs Ghee

Method:

1. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan bring the tapioca and water to a boil 
2. Turn down the heat to medium and simmer for 30mins until the tapioca doubles in size and becomes translucent . ( Tapioca is a heavy starch and has a tendency to stick to the bottom, so keep stirring from time to time adding more water if needed )
3. Once the tapioca is cooked add in the milk and simmer for 10mins (remember to be watchful )
4. Add the sugar 
5. Remove the skin from the cardamom pods and pound to a fine powder . Add this to the payasam mixture
6. Heat the Ghee in a small skillet and fry the cashews and raisins until golden brown and add to the payasam . Remove from heat and set aside
7. Serve warm :-)