HITUKU BELE PAYASA
A few decades ago my mother-in-law used to obtain Hituku bele from Avare Kaalu (Field Beans) by first soaking the beans for at least six hours. The soaked kaalus (beans) were patiently pinched and squeezed one at a time so that the Hituku bele literally jumped out of its skin! You can very well imagine the number of hours she put in to give a decent serving of the Hituku Bele delicacy she would patiently prepare for every member of our large family! Thanks to HOPCOMS, nowadays ready to use Hituku Bele is easily available during the season.
I had tasted Hituku Bele Payasa for the first time at the Avarekai Mela a few years ago. Since then I have been planning to try it out at home and some how it was getting postponed. I tried out Hituku Bele Payasa today for the first time and it turned out delicious.
INGREDIENTS
Hituku Bele/ Deskinned fresh field beans - 1 cup
Milk - 2 1/2 cups
Fresh coconut gratings - 2 tbsps
Powdered jaggery - 4 tbsps
Powdered cardamom - 1 pinch
METHOD
1. Wash and cook Hituku Bele in two cups of milk till it is done and remove two table spoons of the cooked bele and set aside for garnishing.
2. Blend together fresh coconut gratings, powdered jaggery, cardamom powder and the cooked Hituku Bele adding the milk used for cooking.
3. Mix the blend with the remaining milk and cook the Payasa till it thickens.
4. Garnish with the two table spoons of Hituku Bele which was set aside.
Enjoy the sweet creamy Payasa and a few delicious bites of Hituku Bele you are sure to come across!
A garnish with ghee fried raisins and cashew nuts is optional.
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