Cracked wheat Payasam

Its my husband's birthday! I am planning on making a black forest cake in the evening.His mom , as a sentiment , prepares milk payasam (kheer) on his birthday ,every year. Since we are away from India, I planned on preparing milk payasam. But instead of using the traditional way of boiling rice or semiya with milk, I found a new recipe which uses cracked wheat. What more , you have got a dessert and a healthy choice too. This recipe is so simple that you would love it and you can prepare it on any day within 15 min.

Cracked Wheat Payasam

Cracked wheat- 1/2 cup
Water - 2 1/2 cups
Milk - 2 cups
Jaggery or Brown sugar-  3/4 cup or more for a sweet tooth
Cardomom - powdered

Optional for topping
Roasted Raisins- 1 spoon
Roasted Cashew nuts- 1 spoon

1. There are two varieties of cracked wheat, i. fine granulated and ii. coarse. Pressure cook the cracked wheat along with 2 cups water for 3 whistles, if its coarse variety. Else 1 whistle is sufficient. Switch off.

2. Wait till the pressure settles.Add the jaggery or sugar to the boiled wheat and blend.

3. Add 2 cups of milk and boil in medium for 5 min. Keep stirring and switch off when its well blended.

4. Add the cardomom powder and toppings and serve.

Serves 4 people.