Moong Dal Payasam (Pesara Pappu Payasam) ~ Ayuda Pooja Celebrations!

Hearty Ayuda Pooja Wishes to all my dear readers!

Ayuda Pooja always brings in so many wonderful memories. Every year its the same rituals that are followed at home. I remember those many Ayuda Poojas spent during childhood at home. Its the same every year, Amma would have the house cleaned, along with the electrical appliances, and then you can see her marching with a bowl of Kunkum and Sandan, to adore each of them. And I will find Dad going behind her and clean them off neatly. Then Dad will get on saying why should you apply these kunkum over these appliances, they for sure get stained! Later years, he used to ask me do the cleaning job. Then I used to tell Amma to put on places where it won't stain. Still the entire drama used to be fun to watch. While Amma used to be busy with her pooja at home, Dad, Sri and me, would go get the Car and Bikes ready. All would be washed again and adored with flowers and yes, applied kunkum and sandan!

Check out our last year Ayuda pooja celebrations.

After praying to the Sun God and doing arthi, the coconuts are broken along with the pumpkins and lemon. The guy who does the pooja, will then go around the car and bikes with each of them. The lemons are kept under each tyre and once the pooja is done, we got to run over the lemon and go for a round. The lemon would invariably slip and we would've to look around for it! What fun! After marriage, hubby dear joined the fanfare and it used be another rounds of same rituals and ceremonies!

This year it was no different, only we didn't actually get to do it ourselves. Though we had everything ready, our boys decided they wanted to be carried. Konda was busy playing with her friends. Parents joined us along with Sri and his family. We had both Konda's and my niece's cycles, also adorned with flowers and occupying the center spot! Yellow and Pink, both looked so pretty and beautiful. Thats my niece's shadow, she was jumping with jubilation!

The prasad for Ayuda pooja, is usually two types of puffed rice along with jaggary and Fried gram, along with fruits. As for the lunch today, we kept it simple as kids didn't allow us much space. So made only pesara pappu payasam for offering. Its a delicious one. We also make, Senaga pappu payasam, though moong dal has a different taste all together.

Moong Dal Payasam ~ Pesara Pappu Payasam.

Ingredients Needed:

Split Moong Dal / Pesara Pappu - 1 cup
Jaggary - 1 cup
Cardamom - a pinch
Roasted Cashew and Raisins - for garnish
Grated Fresh coconut - 1 tsp
Poppy Seeds - 1 tsp
Ghee - 2 tbsp

Method to prepare:

Heat a pan with ghee and roast the moong dal. Allow it to cool. Then roast the cashew nuts, raisin, keep aside.

Meanwhile, melt the jaggary with little water and remove scum.

Take the roasted moong dal in a pressure cooker. Then add melted jaggary to the dal along with poppy seeds, cardamom and if liquid is not enough , add water thats enough to cover the dal. Pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles or till cooked.

Once cooked, remove the lid and again cook till you get a smooth consistency, add the grated coconut and roasted nuts. Add the remaining ghee.

Serve hot. or if you prefer it cold.

You can use sugar but since jaggary is more good for health, this is always is preferred.

Enjoy your festival moment with a bowl of sweet Moong Dal payasam.

This is my entry to JFI: Festival Treats, I am hosting this month.