Banana Halwa (Vazhaip pazha Halva / Vaalai Halwa / Waalai Hulva)

It is a very delicious, energetic, and easy to prepare dessert.

Ingredients:

• Ripe banana: 4
• Jathikkai / Jaiphal (Nutmeg): 4
• Cardamom (elakkai / elaichi): 2
• Ghee (clarified butter): 1 tablespoon
• Sugar: 1 cup
  

Method of preparation:

• Peel and mash the banana.
  
• Make powder from nutmeg and cardamom.
  
• Make powder from sugar.
  
• Heat ghee in a heavy pan.
  
• Add bananas and cook under low flame with constant stirring for about ten minutes.
  
• Add more ghee if it starts sticking.
  
• Add sugar and stir till dissolving.
  
• Add nutmeg and cardamom and remove from flame.
  
• Spread evenly on a plate.
  
• Cut into pieces after cooling.
  
• Serve with a smile.
  
  

Aval payasam

It is an easy to prepare, easy to digest, delicious dessert.

It is also called Awal paayaasam, rice flake pudding, pressed rice pudding or beaten rice pudding.

Aval is also called attukulu, atukulu, avval, avvalaki, avalakki , poha or rice flake.

Payasam is also called payas.

Ingredients:

• Rice flakes: ¼ cup
• Milk – 2 cups
• Sugar: ¾ cup
• Cashew nuts: 5 to 10
• Raisin (Kismis / ular drakshai): 5 to 10
• Almond (Badam): 4 to 6 (optional)
• Pista: 4 to 6 (optional)
• Cardamom powder: A pinch
• Ghee (nei / clarified butter): for frying
• Saffron: A few strands (optional)

Method of preparation:

• Fry badam, pista, kismis and cashew nuts in ghee.
• Break them into small pieces.
• Boil milk under low flame.
• Roast a little the rice flakes (with a very little ghee) till golden brown.
• Add the rice flakes with boiling milk and stir.
• Add sugar and stir. Add pista, badam, kismis, cashew nuts and cardamom powder.
• Remove from heat.
• Garnish with saffron.
• Serve hot or cold with great pleasure.