Rare ingredient story
- Samai (little millet): Pearl-like grain nearly phased out by rice subsidies.
- Sourcing: Direct from Kolli hills tribal farmers using rain-fed terraces.
- Preservation: We husk gently to keep bran intact, lending toasted flavour.
The sacred method
- Vessel: Bronze uruli
- Fire: Wood-fired stove
- Timing cue: Stir until bubbles thicken like temple bells
- Jaggery foam should look like bridal jasmine.
- Rice ladle should leave a clear path for 5 seconds.
Ayurvedic & seasonal wisdom
- Dosha focus: Pitta-calming
- Benefits: Mineral-rich millet prevents sugar spikes; jaggery builds iron stores for brides.
- Consumption notes: Serve warm with roasted cashew ghee tempering.
Sojal's revival notes
- Ceremony kits:We lend heritage urulis and scripts explaining symbolism to wedding planners.
- Millet jaggery pairing:Our tasters map ideal jaggery varieties to each millet for accuracy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup little millet
- 5 cups coconut milk
- 1 cup grated jaggery
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 10 cashews
- Handful raisins
- Cardamom
- Pinch nutmeg
Method
- Soak millet 30 minutes, drain, dry roast till aromatic.
- Simmer millet in diluted coconut milk till soft.
- Melt jaggery with splash water, strain, fold into pot.
- Finish with thick coconut milk, cardamom, nutmeg.
- Fry cashews/raisins in ghee, pour over payasam.
Preservation actions
More to explore
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Past midnight, panakam urns rest beneath the gopuram so lunar dew can temper jaggery heat.
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Puri Jagannath 56-Layer Khaja
Each fold is sealed with a whispered mantra so the layers don't collapse in steam.
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