Payasam/Rasayana------------Gasagase (Poppy seed) Payasa(milk pudding)

Its a very healthy and tasty payasa.its very famous,traditional,authentic payasa in karnataka.My mother-in-law prepares it a lot as her mother used to do it ,because its seems my hubby's grandfather used to like it very much and as its very healthy he used to ask grandma to prepare it offen .My mom says if you have back ache and all its helps you reducing it.
Also its a good source of opium,so when you drink hot cup of gasagase payasa surely you will get a nice sleep.Its really good for kids too as poppy seeds are meant to be a cooling seed and as i am using almonds in preparing this.My mom always used to prepare this during summer which makes your body cool.
There are many ways of doing it but i learned it from my mother-in-law this method and liked it.some soak rice and grind this gasagase with rice and coconut.but we do it a little different way.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup poppy seed(Gasagase)

1/2 cup Almonds

2 cups whole milk
1 cup jaggary/sugar(usually it is prepared with jaggary)
1/4 cup mixed dry fruits like cashews,almonds,pistachio and raisins
2tsp of ghee
1 tsp cardamon powder
2-3 tsp fresh grated coconut(optional)
Method:

Wash the poppy seeds for 1 times and add 1/4 cup of milk and soak or at least 1 hour.
Soak Almonds in hot water for 1/2 an hour and remove the skin.i just put water on the almonds and keep them in microwave for 1 minute.then i remove the skin by just squeezing with hand and then let it soak in water/1/2 cup milk  for 1 hour.
Grate the jaggary and keep it ready.

Take a heavy bottom pan add ghee ,raisins and cashews.fry them till cashews turns red and raisins fluffs out.
remove and keep it aside.
After 1 hour grind almonds,coconut and poppy seeds together into smooth paste.while grinding in blender don't add milk at once,add little by little.also the milk used for soaking is enough,no need to add more while grinding.

In the same pan add jaggary/sugar and little water to melt the jaggary/sugar and stir continuously.when jaggary/sugar starts melting add grounded mixer stirring  let it simmer for 1 minute ,
now add 1 cup milk  and similarly stirring continuously let it simmer for 5 more minutes or one nice boil .
Add cardamon powder,fried raisins and cashews,sliced almonds and pista.Let it boil for 1 minute  then switch it off.Don't boil the gasagase payasa more and you should always stir continuously otherwise lumps forms immediately .In  India we used to prepare this payasa  in milk cooker which don't allow lumps to form and there is no need for continuous stirring.stirring in between is enough.without milk cooker reheat this payasa by stirring continuously.

Serve hot .enjoy this delicious payasa.