Quick Palada Payasam Recipe Using a Pressure Cooker for Onam

Onam celebrations feel incomplete without a comforting bowl of creamy palada payasam. Made with rice ada, milk, cardamom, condensed milk, and roasted cashews, this Kerala favourite is both simple and festive. Using a pressure cooker makes the process quicker while helping the ada cook evenly. On that note, let’s explore a very easy yet tasty Palada Payasam recipe that would make Onam even more special. What Is Palada Payasam? Palada payasam is a traditional Kerala dessert prepared with rice ada and milk. It is especially popular during Onam, when elaborate sadhya meals are followed by desserts such as payasam. Unlike ada pradaman, which is generally prepared with jaggery and coconut milk, palada payasam uses milk as its primary base, giving it a rich, creamy texture. Rice ada is made from rice and is available in ready-to-cook forms, making this dessert considerably easier to prepare at home. With the SUNCASA Impact-Pro Click-on Pressure Cooker, you can cook the ada and milk efficiently without spending a long time stirring over the stove. Ingredients for Quick Palada Payasam The recipe below serves approximately 3–4 people and uses simple ingredients that are easy to find.  Ingredient Quantity Readymade rice ada ¼ cup Milk 2 cups Water 1 cup Condensed milk 4 tbsp Cardamom powder A pinch Cashew nuts 4 Ghee 2 tsp Condensed milk provides sweetness and contributes to the creamy consistency. If you prefer to use sugar, approximately 3–4 tablespoons can be used instead, depending on your preferred level of sweetness. How to Make Palada Payasam in a Pressure Cooker 1. Sauté the Rice Ada Add 1 teaspoon of ghee to the Click-on pressure cooker and heat it on a low flame. Add the rice ada and sauté gently for about a minute. This small step helps separate the ada and gives it a pleasant roasted aroma. Avoid cooking it on high heat, as the ada can burn quickly. 2. Cook the Ada with Water Add 1 cup of water to the cooker and bring it to a boil. Allow the ada to cook for approximately 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the water during this stage. Since rice ada can stick to the base if the water evaporates completely, maintaining sufficient moisture is important. 3. Add the Milk Pour 2 cups of milk into the cooker and mix everything thoroughly. Make sure the ada is distributed evenly throughout the liquid. The SUNCASA Impact-Pro Click-On Pressure Cooker comes with a heavy bottom, which is particularly useful here because it helps not only with consistent heating throughout the cooking surface but also prevents uneven cooking. 4. Pressure Cook Close the click-on pressure cooker and cook until one whistle. Once the first whistle is released, reduce the flame to very low and continue cooking for approximately 15 minutes. Switch off the flame and allow the pressure to release before opening the cooker. 5. Add Condensed Milk and Cardamom Once the cooker is opened, add 4 tablespoons of condensed milk and mix well. If you are using sugar instead, add it gradually and adjust according to taste. Add a pinch of cardamom powder for fragrance and flavour. 6. Finish with Roasted Cashews Heat the remaining teaspoon of ghee in a small pan. Add the cashew nuts and roast them until lightly golden. Add the roasted cashews and ghee to the payasam and mix gently. Your palada payasam is ready to serve. Why Choose a Click-On Pressure Cooker? A pressure cooker can make everyday cooking faster and easier, from dal and rice to curries and traditional recipes like Palada Payasam. A click-on pressure cooker further adds to the convenience with a simpler locking mechanism, which makes it easier to use compared to other pressure cookers available.  The SUNCASA Impact Pro Click-On Pressure Cooker combines this convenience with durable stainless steel construction and features designed for efficient pressure cooking. Built for Everyday Cooking The stainless steel body makes it suitable for frequent use, while the impact-bonded bottom helps distribute heat evenly. This is useful for dishes that need consistent cooking, including milk-based recipes. Designed for Convenience The cooker features a click-on lid for easier handling and a precision weight valve for controlled pressure cooking. Its compatibility with gas and induction cooktops also makes it suitable for different kitchen setups. Safety-Focused Features The SUNCASA Impact Pro includes: Precision weight valve for pressure regulation Gasket release system for an additional safety mechanism Click-on lid for convenient handling Impact-bonded base for uniform heating Choose Between 3L and 5L SUNCASA offers the Impact Pro Click-On Pressure Cooker in two sizes:  3L  5L Ideal for smaller households Better suited to larger families Convenient for everyday portions Useful for larger batches Easier to handle and store Suitable for family meals and gatherings The 3L model is the best choice for people cooking single or just double portions of dal, rice, vegetables, curries, and even a comforting Palada Payasam, while the 5L model is better suited to larger joint family meals and bigger celebration batches. To make the perfect decision for your household, explore our complete comparison guide on 3 Litre vs 5 Litre Pressure Cooker. Tips for Making Creamy Palada Payasam A few simple techniques can make the final dessert even better: Do not let the water completely evaporate: This can cause the ada to stick to the cooker. Use low heat: After the first whistle, low heat allows the ingredients to cook gently. Adjust sweetness at the end: Condensed milk is already sweet, so taste before adding additional sugar. Do not worry if the payasam looks thin: Palada payasam naturally thickens as it cools. Serve warm or chilled: Both versions work well, depending on your preference. Add cashews just before serving: This helps retain their texture and roasted flavour. Can You Make Palada Payasam Without a Pressure Cooker? Absolutely. If you prefer stovetop cooking, cook the rice ada separately until soft and drain it. Add the cooked ada to milk and simmer until the milk reduces and the desired consistency develops. However, using a pressure cooker such as the Impact Pro Click-On Pressure Cooker is the most convenient option when you want to prepare the dessert with less hands-on cooking time, especially during busy Onam celebrations when several dishes may be prepared together. Celebrate Onam with Homemade Palada Payasam Palada payasam brings together the comforting flavours of milk, rice ada, cardamom, condensed milk and ghee-roasted cashews in one festive dessert. With an impact bottom pressure cooker, this traditional favourite becomes easier to prepare, leaving you more time to enjoy your Onam celebrations with family. For reliable everyday cooking, choose stainless steel cookware designed for performance and safety.  Explore SUNCASA cookware today and visit the SUNCASA website store to shop your pressure cooker and cookware essentials. FAQs Can palada payasam be prepared in a pressure cooker? Yes, pressure cooking simplifies palada payasam preparation by helping cook rice ada efficiently while reducing hands-on cooking time, making it convenient during busy Onam celebrations. Why is stainless steel suitable for making palada payasam? Food-grade stainless steel provides a durable, hygienic cooking surface, while SUNCASA’s impact-bonded base supports even heat distribution, making it suitable for preparing milk-based desserts. Why does palada payasam become thicker after cooling? Palada payasam naturally thickens as it cools because the cooked rice ada absorbs some liquid. Therefore, serving it slightly thinner when hot is perfectly acceptable. Can sugar be used instead of condensed milk in palada payasam? Yes, sugar can replace condensed milk. Add it gradually according to your preferred sweetness, while remembering that condensed milk also contributes richness and creaminess to the payasam. Why is a pressure cooker useful during Onam cooking? A pressure cooker helps reduce cooking time and manages heat efficiently, allowing you to prepare palada payasam conveniently while focusing on other dishes for the festive Onam meal.