Onam celebration is incomplete without Palada pradhaman or ada pradhaman.

Palada pradhaman is a creamy, cardamom flavored (not over powering taste though) payasam made with rice sheets broken into small bits, called ada and cooked along with milk and sugar. The ingredients are quite simple but the dish is soothing and satisfying after a fulfilling sadya.

It’s a comfort food when served chilled on summer days or warm on winter afternoon.

Recipe from: My maternal Grandfather

Ingredients you’ll need:

1/2 cup Ada
5 cups milk
1 cup hot water
3/4 cup sugar or condensed milk (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Preparation:

I used store-bought pack of ada (Double horse brand), Soak ada in 1 cup of hot water for 20 mins.

Meanwhile, In a heavy bottom pan, pour the milk and bring to boil. I used a non stick pan so the risk of milk getting burnt or sticking to the bottom was very less.

Drain the soaked and softened ada to the boiling milk. Simmer on low or medium flame, stirring frequently.

Continue to stir till the quantity is reduced to almost half. By this time, the ada should be soft and mush when squeezed.

Add sugar or condensed milk – to taste and cardamom powder.

Cook till the sugar melts completely, about 5-6 mins. Remove from heat and set aside.

When the payasam | Pradhaman passes the ladle streak test, it has reached the right consistency. The ladle streak test is: dip the ladle in payasam and draw a line with your finger on the back of ladle, if it leaves a clear line, it has passed the test!