Lauki Halwa

Ingredients
Lauki grated – 4 Cups ( Peel outer skin and seeds inside and grate it )
Sugar – 2 cups
Ghee – 3 tbsp.
Cardamom powder – a pinch
cashew / almonds – handful ( both together )
Saffron ( kesari ) – a pinch.
Milk - 1/4 cup

Preparation
Peel lauki and remove the seeds inside. Grate it, Take the pressure cooker, Add 2 tbsp ghee and saute grated lauki for 5 - 10 secs.  Add 1/4 cup of milk ,  then pressure cook for 1 whistle.

Wait for sometime until the pressure is released from cooker , then add Sugar and cook for 10-15 mins. Stir frequently.

Add cardamom powder and saffron. Cook until all the moisture evaporates and it turns into pudding  consistency. When done turn off and allow the halwa to cool.

Add 1 tbsp of ghee in a kadai and toss the cashew/almonds.

Remove the nuts and add it to halwa before serving.



Lauki Halwa

Slow Cooker Paal Payasam

I made this payasam for my husband's birthday and my FIL's star birthday this year.
Paal payasam was indeed easier to make in a slow cooker. I want to put my slow cooker to use and try many recipes. Hopefully you will see them soon in my blog space.

Below is the recipe for paal payasam - slow cooker method

Ingredients
Basmati rice - 2 tbsp.
Whole milk - 4 cups
Sugar - 1/4 cup ( you can adjust and add little more/less depending on your taste )
cardamom - 1/4 tsp
cashews - chopped
ghee - 1 tsp.
raisins - few
saffron - few strands ( this is optional )

Method

1) Soak basmati rice in water for about 20 mins.
2) Then place the rice, milk , sugar and cardamom in slow cooker and keep it in high for about 1 hour.
3) Switch to low for another 2 hrs ( Keep stirring the paaysam  for every 1 hr or so..
Note :
You can adjust from high to  low when milk starts bubbling so much.
4) In a separate pan , Add ghee and roast cashew and raisins . Garnish it on the top.
5) If you are using saffron , soak it in the warm milk for 5 to 10 mins and add it to payasam.

You can serve the payasam in small bowl ( either warm or keep it in refrigerator and serve cold ) . I served it warm.

Slow Cooker Paal Payasam