Zarda Spacial Recipe

Enjoy The Delicious, Fragrant,Colorful Zarda!

The Traditional recipe for Zarda, a popular sweet rice dish in South Asian cuisine:

Zarda Recipe

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice: 1 cup
• Water: 4 cups (for boiling rice)
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Ghee (clarified butter): 4 tablespoons
• Green cardamom pods: 4-5
• Cloves: 4-5
• Cinnamon stick: 1 small piece
• Yellow food coloring: a pinch (or a few drops if using liquid)
• Milk: 1/4 cup
• Mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, and cashews): 1/4 cup (sliced or chopped)
• Raisins: 2 tablespoons
• Desiccated coconut: 2 tablespoons (optional)
• Saffron strands: a pinch (soaked in 1 tablespoon warm milk)
• Rose water: 1 tablespoon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil the Rice:

   • Wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
   • In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
   • Add the washed rice and a pinch of yellow food coloring to the boiling water.
   • Cook the rice until it is 70-80% done (it should still have a slight bite to it). Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Sugar Syrup:

   • In a separate pan, combine the sugar with 1/4 cup of water and bring to a boil.
   • Cook until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add the saffron milk to the sugar syrup.

3. Cooking the Zarda:

   • In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee over medium heat.
   • Add the green cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
   • Add the partially cooked rice to the pot and gently mix to coat the rice with the ghee and spices.
   • Pour the sugar syrup over the rice and gently mix.
   • Add the milk, soaked saffron strands (with the milk), and a few drops of rose water (if using).

4. Simmer and Cook:

   • Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice cook on a low flame for about 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the syrup.
   • In the last 5 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the mixed nuts, raisins, and desiccated coconut (if using) over the top of the rice. Cover and let it steam.

5. Serve:

   • Once the rice is cooked, gently fluff it with a fork to mix the nuts and raisins throughout.
   • Serve the Zarda warm, garnished with additional nuts and a sprinkle of saffron strands if desired.

Tips:

• Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference.
• You can also add a few drops of kewra essence for a more aromatic flavor.
• Be gentle while mixing the rice to avoid breaking the grains.