Parippu Pradhaman - South Indian Style Lentil, Coconut Milk And Jaggery Pudding
A pradhaman is a payasam(kheer/dessert) from the South Indian state of Kerala and is usually made using jaggery and coconut milk, though it is sometimes made with milk and sugar. A Pradhaman is typically festive fare and usually one of the sweets served at a "Sadhya" (festive meal). The name "Pradhaman" means "the first one" and it is typically the first item served during the Sadhya.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup moong dal
- 1/4 cup chana dal (bengal gram dal)
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups jaggery powdered ( depending on the sweetness of )
- 1 coconut (for milk)
- 2 tbsps ghee
- 2 tbsps cashewnuts halved/ broken
- 1 - 2 tbsps coconut slivers(optional)
- 1 tsp cardamom powdered
Instructions
- Coconut milk extraction: I'm sure everyone knows this but am including it anyway.
- Add a couple of tbsps of warm water to the grated coconut and blend. Squeeze out the milk- this is the 1st milk. Add just about 1/2 cup of warm water to the residue and blend again. Squeeze out the milk-this is the 2nd milk.
- To make the Pradhaman, start by heating 1 tbsp ghee and fry cashewnuts till golden. Keep aside. In the same ghee, brown the coconut pieces and keep aside.
- Now put the moong dal in whatever ghee is left in the pan and roast till pinkish and an aroma rises. Do not brown. Pressure cook the moong dal and chana dal with about 1 cup water till soft. Slightly mash the dal. The moong dal should be more or less completely mashed with some part of the chana dal still whole.
- In a heavy bottomed or non-stick deep dish, pour in 1/4 cup water. Add the jaggery, dissolve and strain to remove impurities from jaggery. Keep the jaggery solution back on heat and bring to boil. Add the mashed dal and allow to come to a boil. If using natural coconut milk, add the 2nd milk now and bring to a boil. Otherwise, let the solution boil on medium heat and thicken.
- Once a thickish consistency is reached, turn down the heat to minimum and add remaining 1 tbsp ghee and then 1st coconut milk. If using preserved forms of coconut milk, add now ( I dissolve the coconut milk powder in 1 cup of water). Switch off the heat immediately. The coconut milk will split if boiled. Also add the cardamom, cashewnuts and coconut pieces and stir well till blended.
Notes
Traditionally, this pradhaman is served warm. Can also be served chilled. P.S. Shortcuts are convenient but nothing brings out the taste quite like natural coconut milk!