This arrowroot payasam is one of the simplest and important desserts that is made on the day of Thiruvathira/Thiruvathirai. Arrowroot is also known as koova podi in Malayalam. Koova podi or arrowroot powder is mostly used in Kerala, a South Indian state, as an energy drink for infants, children and also adults. It contains several minerals, vitamins and electrolytes. It is nourishing other than being an easily digestible food used as medicine for diarrhea, bowel complaints, dysentery, bronchitis etc. …. Koova podi or arrowroot powder is also a common soft food for infants.
Arrowroot powder is used to make this healthy yet delicious payasam. This payasam has a jam like consistency unlike other payasams. Other than arrowroot powder, you will need very minimal ingredients for this preparation. For arrowroot payasam preparation, you will need….
Ingredients
- ½ cup Koova podi/Arrowroot powder
- 1 cup Jaggery
- ½ cup Coconut, grated
- ¼ tsp. Cardamom powder
- 1 pinch dry Ginger powder
- 1 Banana, chopped
- A pinch of Cumin powder
- 1 tsp. Ghee
Method
- Mix the arrowroot powder/koova podi in half cup of water until lumps free.
- Add cardamom powder, cumin powder and dry ginger powder to it.
- Meanwhile, melt the jaggery in 1 cup water. Let it come to a boil.
- Allow it to cool down and then strain it with the help of a strainer to remove all impurities.
- Add the melted and strained jaggery to the arrow root mix.
- Next add grated coconut, chopped banana, one and a half cups of water and ghee. Mix well.
- After mixing everything together, place it on the stove and cook in simmer. Cook in simmer while stirring continuously until it thickens. It will thicken in a few minutes.
- Turn off the stove when you reach the desired consistency.
- Tasty koova payasam/arrowroot payasam is ready to serve. You can serve it warm or cold.