Orange payasam (kheer)

Kids will love this payasam (kheer). Orange with its sweet and sour nature gives a unique but yummy taste to the payasam. It's creamy and different! You can eat it hot/cold but eating it cold with added nuts is indeed delicious!

Ingredients :

Milk : 1 litre
Orange : 2
Sugar : 350-400 g
Elaichi : 5
Pachai Karpooram/Edible Camphor (optional): 1 tuwar dal size
Kesar : few strands
Nuts (kaju/badam/pista) : as desired (optional)

Method:

1. Peel the orange. Remove the skin & seeds. We need only the pulp. Keep it aside.
2. Boil milk till it becomes close to half of its initial quantity (half litre). Transfer 1-2 tsp of this milk into a separate cup, add kesar to it and keep it aside.
3. Add sugar to the milk. Mix well. This will again increase the quantity. Allow the mixture to boil till it again reduces to half litre (i.e. half of initial quantity).
4. Add powdered elaichi and edible camphor. (Please note that edible camphor is optional. Dont add it more than the mentioned quantity, else it will give a strong flavour and spoil the taste.)
5. Add the kesar which we had kept aside in a cup in step 2. Add it to the payasam. Also add grated cashew, badam and pista to the payasam. (nuts are optional, but adding them enhances the taste)
6. Boil for 15 sec and switch off the flame.
7. Allow it to cool down. (almost to the room temperature)
8. Add orange pulp to the payasam. Mix well. Serve it hot/cold as you like it!

Note : If you do not perform step 7 properly, milk might turn sour due to heat since orange is citric by nature.
You can keep this payasam outside if you are going to consume it within an hour. Else keep it in the refrigerator. You can store it for 2 days in the refrigerator.