Zarda (Pakistani Sweet Rice)
Zarda Recipe (Pakistani Sweet Rice) is a dessert made with yellow colored sweetened Basmati rice, ghee, cardamom, golden raisins and nuts.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 cups Sela rice ((see notes))
- 8 cups water
- 1/4 tsp yellow food coloring ((see notes))
- 1/2 cup cooking oil ((see notes))
- 8 pieces cardamom
- 8 pieces cloves
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup salted pistachios
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 tsp saffron ((see notes))
- 1/4 cup milk ((see notes))
Instructions
- 1
Soak the rice for at least 2 hours and then strain it, discarding the water. (see notes)
- 2
Add the soaked rice, 8 cups of water, and yellow food coloring to a cooking pot and bring to a boil.
- 3
Cook the rice on high till it's almost done, about 90% done, discard the water, and set the rice aside. (see notes)
- 4
Crack open the cardamom just enough to release the seeds and lightly smash it to release the essential oils. (see notes)
- 5
Add the cooking oil to the pot, and saute the cardamom (husk and seeds) and the cloves on high for a minute.
- 6
Lower the heat, add the rice, and toss it lightly in the oil.
- 7
Top it with the sugar, followed by the nuts and raisins and cover.
- 8
Uncover after 5 minutes and stir gently to coat all the rice with the sugar syrup.
- 9
Warm the 1/4 cup milk, add the saffron to it and pour this over the rice (see notes)
- 10
Seal the pot with foil, cover with the lid, and make sure your heat is set to the lowest setting. (see notes)
- 11
After 20 minutes, uncover the pot, remove the foil, gently fluff the rice and serve. (see notes)