On hot days many people like something cold and sweet, and payesh is everyone's favourite dessert anyway. Made with lychee, the familiar payesh takes on a whole new freshness and a unique flavour that takes away the tiredness of the heat. It is easy to make at home, and the whole family will like it.

Here is how to make lychee payesh at home.

Wash the rice well and soak it for 10 to 15 minutes. Grind the soaked rice lightly in a blender so that some becomes a fine powder and some stays as broken grains. This mix will give the payesh a better texture.

Clean the lychees well and remove the seeds. Cut half into small pieces and set aside, and blend the other half with a little water into a light puree. Bring the milk to the boil over medium heat, letting it simmer slowly and stirring regularly so it does not stick. When the milk has reduced to about half, add the sugar and stir until it has fully dissolved.

Once the sugar has dissolved, pour in the ground rice slowly and stir quickly, or it may form lumps. The payesh will thicken a little once the rice is added. Then add powdered milk and cardamom powder, stir for 1 minute and turn off the heat.

Just before turning off the heat, mix in the condensed milk and lychee puree, then stir gently for another 2 minutes. Add the cut lychee pieces and fold them in gently so the fruit does not break.

Finally, keep the payesh on a low flame for another two to three minutes and take it off. Mix in dry fruits of your choice, let it cool and refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve the lychee payesh chilled.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.