GASAGASE PAYASA ( POPPY SEEDS KHEER)

Karnataka Cuisine is different in manyways. Though Rice, Ragi and steamed vegetables are the main ingredients of Karnataka Cuisine, they keep varying as we travel through different parts of Karnataka. Karnataka Cuisine has different cuisines within itself from Udupi cuisine, Davanagere cuisine, Uttar Karnataka Cuisine, Mangalore cuisine to name a few. Gasagase Payasa is a famous pays/ kheer made in Karnataka. This payasa is made with poppy seeds, coconut and jaggery or sugar. Poppy Seeds is used in Indian cuisine in many ways from kurma to ladoos . Poppy seeds are great coolants and also good for the cardio vascular health. It is also believed to aid in weight gain. This Gasagase payasa can be made with sugar as well jaggery. Poppy seeds are roasted to a golden brown color along with rice and made to a paste with grated coconut. This is cooked with jaggery until thicken. some people also add cooked sago or any nuts with poppy seeds to make this payasa. This is an easy to make payasa with in few mins and tastes great too. For other kheer / Payasam varieties, click on Fox tail millet poha kheer, Arisi Paruppu Payasam  ,  Jackfruit Payasam  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8mKlJb1A28
Servings: 4 yield(s)
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp Poppy Seeds / Gasagase/ Khas-Khas
  • 1 tsp Rice
  • 0.25 cup Grated Coconut
  • 0.5 cup Jaggery Powder
  • 1 tbsp Ghee
  • 1 tsp Cashews
  • 1 tsp Raisins
  • 0.25 tsp Cardamom Powder
Instructions
  1. In a pan add three tablespoons of poppy seeds with one teaspoon of rice. Roast till golden brown and aroma comes out.
  2. In a mixer jar, add quarter cup of grated coconut along with roasted poppy seeds and rice. Add water and grind to make a fine paste.
  3. Add half a cup of jaggery with 3/4th cup of water. Let the jaggery melts and begin to boil.
  4. Add the grounded paste to the jaggery. Mix to avoid lumps.
  5. Keep cooking until they thicken. Let it boil for about 5 - 6 mins.
  6. Roast cashews and raisins in a tablespoon of ghee. Add them to the payasa. Serve hot or chilled.
Recipe Notes

  • I have used jaggery / Bella in this payasa. You can also add regular sugar instead and milk too.
  • Instead of adding rice to the poppy seeds, you can also add dry nuts like badam, cashews or sago.
  • You can also soak the poppy seeds instead of roasting them. Make sure to cook them in ghee first and then add jaggery.