🧡 Paneer Payasam Recipe 🥣 | Creamy, Rich & Festive Indian Dessert 🎉🍮

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3–4

🧈 Ingredients:

• Paneer (fresh or homemade) – 200 g
• Full-fat milk – 1 litre
• Sugar – ½ cup (adjust to taste)
• Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
• Saffron strands – a few (optional)
• Chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios) – 2 tbsp
• Ghee – 1 tbsp
• Rose water – ½ tsp (optional)

🍯 Instructions:

1. Crumble the Paneer:
   • Grate or finely crumble the paneer.
   • If using store-bought paneer, soak in warm water for 5 minutes to soften before crumbling.
2. Boil the Milk:
   • In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring milk to a boil.
   • Simmer on low heat until it reduces slightly and thickens (about 10 minutes).
3. Add Sugar & Flavor:
   • Add sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.
   • Add cardamom powder and saffron strands soaked in a little warm milk.
4. Add Paneer:
   • Gently add crumbled paneer to the milk and stir.
   • Cook for 5–7 minutes on low flame. Do not overcook, or paneer may harden.
5. Fry Nuts:
   • In a small pan, heat ghee and fry cashews and almonds until golden.
   • Add these fried nuts (with ghee) to the payasam.
6. Finish:
   • Add rose water if using.
   • Stir gently and switch off the flame.

🌿 Serving Suggestion:

Serve warm or chilled. It tastes best when slightly cooled — creamy, rich, and melt-in-mouth!