Semiya Payasam / Vermicelli Kheer in Instant Pot

Vermicelli kheer is a delectable Indian dessert that is infused with the richness of whole milk, the sweetness of sugar, and the aroma of cardamom. Also known as semiya payasam or sheer khurma, this Instant Pot recipe is very easy to make.

It is a dump-and-go recipe, ready in just 20 minutes, and needs no monitoring, making it perfect for festivals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Vermicelli: I use roasted vermicelli noodles, which are easily available in Indian grocery stores. If the vermicelli is not roasted, heat one tablespoon of ghee and roast it for 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown before using them.

Milk: Whole milk gives a creamy texture; however, low-fat milk also can be used.

Sugar: I use raw sugar; however, plain white sugar or brown sugar can also be used.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step-by-step instructions

Expert Tips

Make sure the lid and sealing ring of the Instant Pot is cleaned thoroughly. I set aside a spare sealing ring that I use to make sweet dishes.

Use roasted vermicelli for this recipe, as it saves time. Roasted whole wheat vermicelli is thin noodles that are easily available in Indian stores and online stores. If the thin vermicelli is not roasted, first roast it in one teaspoon of ghee until it is golden brown.

The first step is to set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add ½ cup water. Once the water is hot, cancel the Instant Pot saute mode and add the milk, vermicelli, and sugar. This is a common trick used when boiling milk on a stove top - add a small amount of water first and heat it so that the milk does not burn and stick to the bottom of the pot. This trick works perfectly with the inner steel pot of your Instant Pot, too.

You can also sweeten the semiya payasam with jaggery. However, in this case, add the jaggery after pressure cooking the vermicelli and put the IP in saute mode (low) until the jaggery melts. Pressure cooking with jaggery will curdle the milk.

Do not do a quick release of pressure. Wait for the pressure to come down naturally.

As an optional ingredient, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of condensed milk to add richness to the semiyan payasam and also to get a thicker consistency. In that case, make sure to reduce the amount of sugar.

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