Payasam aka Kheer is one of my favorite Indian dessert. Growing up, my mom made it for all our birthdays and any celebration, big or small. Kheer is a milk based dish that is very easy to make. Traditionally, regular milk is used but my vegan kheer is dairy free and uses almond milk instead. I have started making this vegan payasam about a decade ago. My daughter had severe reflex problem when she was an infant and up until she turned 1. So, the pediatrician suggested that I avoid dairy. That is when I started trying vegan desserts and I absolutely love this simple and easy recipe. It is perfect to make during festivals like Diwali.
Ingredients
Non dairy vegan milk - I love almond milk in this recipe because it has a nice nutty flavor that melds well with Indian flavors. But you can also use oat or coconut milk. Semya/ seviyan/ vermicelli - these thin wheat noodles are easily available in Indian and Asian groceries. I buy the roasted variety, but you can buy the regular vermicelli and roast it before using in the recipe. You can substitute it with thin vermicelli or angel hair pasta. Other ingredients you need to make this almond milk kheer recipe are:
Sugar - make sure that it is vegan.Vegan butter or oil - I use Earth Balance butter sticksGround cardamom (elaichi)Cashews and raisins, can also use almonds, pistachios
Instructions
Heat vegan butter or oil in a saucepan on medium-low flame. Add cashews and raisins until golden, about 1~2 minutes. Remove into a small bowl and set aside. In the same pan, add the vermicelli and cook till they are lightly roasted, about 2~3 minutes. Remove into a bowl and set aside. To the same pan, add almond milk and bring to a boil on medium flame. Add the roasted vermicelli to milk. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture, stirring frequently, until semya is cooked through, about 4~5 minutes. Once semya is cooked through, add sugar and ground cardamom. Mix well to dissolve the sugar and turn off the heat. Finally add the fried almonds and raisins.
Tips
Feel free to use your favorite non dairy milk. I use almond milk in this recipe, but oat and coconut milk would work beautifully in this recipe.If you using thin pasta (vermicelli or angel hair), then break them into 1~2" pieces. Use different flour/ grain seviyan, like ragi or millet in the recipe. Add sago/ tapioca pearls along with vermicelli to make saggubiyyam/ javvarisi semya payasam. You will have to boil a little longer for sago to cook through.Leftover almond milk payasam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
More delicious Indian vegan dishes
Dairy based dishes, both sweet and savory, are very popular in India. But due to allergies or dietary restrictions, vegan alternatives are gaining popularity. Here are a few vegan Indian dishes to try:
Coconut milk kadhiPalak MoongChickpea SundalVegan aloo matar kurmaVegan kheema pavSheermal (vegan recipe)Creamy brussels sprouts curry
