Easy Varagu Kheer | Varagarisi Payasam | Millets Paal Payasam For Diabetics | Varagu Paal Payasam | Kodo Millet Payasam Using Sugar Free

Only when one becomes a diabetic he/she will miss the desserts so much than ever before. I must say that people these days are lucky as they at least have an alternative to add to their desserts or sweets. To settle that craving for sugary desserts, here's a payasam with healthy millets. You can use any kind of sugar replacement to sweeten this payasam, just make sure to add it at the end, as I personally do not prefer adding artificial sweeteners while cooking. This can be made with regular sugar too. And for those who haven't yet tried millets, do not underestimate these tiny grains, these taste much better than you can guess. Do give a try sometime and stay healthy. 

INGREDIENTS

Total Preparation Time - 20 minutes
Serves 2 people

1. Varagu Arisi / Kodo Millet - 1/8 cup 
2. Milk - 750 ml 
3. Cashews / Almonds - 1/8 cup
4. Rose essence / Vanilla essence - 1/2 teaspoon 
5. Sugar free or any sugar alternative - 3 teaspoons or as per taste 

If you aren't diabetic add condensed milk 50 ml and two tablespoons sugar (adjust according to your taste) 

PREPARATION METHOD

• Wash Varagu well in water until the water seems clear. Drain all water and keep varagu rice aside. 
• Grind the cashews into a coarse powder and keep aside.
• Boil milk and wait until it reduces to 3/4th of its original volume (about 500ml)
• Now to the boiled milk, add varagu and stir well. 
• After a few minutes add the ground nuts and stir. Check for consistency and add water or milk if necessary. 
• Wait until varagu gets cooked well. Might take 10 minutes. (If you aren't diabetic you can add sugar and condensed milk now along with nuts roasted in ghee)
• Remove from flame and add sugar free or any sugar substitute and serve. 

TIP 1: You can also use thinai or saamai instead of varagu. But thinai takes a little longer to get cooked. Soak thinai for a while prior to cooking to reduce the time. 

TIP 2: Nuts can be avoided if you have cholesterol issues. 

TIP 3: Make sure to boil the milk well before adding as that makes the paysam tastier. 

TIP 4: Millets will increase in volume as it gets cooker so make sure not to add too much into the paysam. 

For more millet recipes click here!