Name: Zarda (Sweet Saffron Rice)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Pakistani & North Indian (dessert)
Ingredients: 400 g (2 cups) basmati rice, soaked 30 min; 300 g (1½ cups) sugar; ½ tsp saffron soaked in 3 tbsp warm milk; A few drops of yellow/orange food colour (optional); 6 green cardamom pods; 4 cloves; 6 tbsp ghee; 1.5 litres water (for parboiling); 3 tbsp almonds, slivered; 3 tbsp pistachios; 2 tbsp raisins; 2 tbsp chopped candied fruit or khoya (optional)

Zarda sweet saffron rice topped with nuts and raisins — Photo: Miansari66 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Zarda is the celebratory sweet rice of Pakistan and North India, served at weddings and Eid. Basmati is cooked with sugar, saffron and cardamom until glossy and golden, then studded with nuts, raisins and sometimes candied fruit. As beautiful as it is delicious, it's the classic sweet finish to a festive meal.

Servings: 6
Prep: 15 minutes (plus 30 min soaking)
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Rice: Long-grain basmati

Method

Tick a step to mark it done.

Step 1: Boil plenty of water with the food colour (if using). Parboil the drained rice to about 70%, then drain. The colour tints the grains.
Step 2: Heat the ghee in a heavy pot and gently fry the cardamom and cloves. Fry the nuts and raisins briefly and set some aside for garnish.
Step 3: Add the parboiled rice and the saffron milk; fold gently.
Step 4: Sprinkle over the sugar and mix carefully — the sugar will melt and release moisture.
Step 5: Cover and steam (dum) on the lowest heat for 15–20 minutes until the rice is soft and glazed and the syrup is absorbed.
Step 6: Fold through most of the nuts, then garnish with the reserved nuts and candied fruit.

To serve

Serve warm or at room temperature as a festive dessert.

Zarda (Sweet Saffron Rice)

Ingredients

Method

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