Zarda Rice Recipe

Mishi Malik

A blog recipe about "Zarda Rice"

Zarda Rice is a traditional Pakistani and Indian sweet rice dish that is often served at special occasions and celebrations. It is made with long grain basmati rice, milk, sugar, and a variety of aromatic spices, and is finished off with a sprinkle of nuts and raisins. The result is a rich, flavorful, and fragrant rice dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.

To start making Zarda Rice, you will need the following ingredients:

2 cups long grain basmati rice

4 cups water

1 cup milk

1 cup sugar

1 cinnamon stick

4 green cardamom pods

4 cloves

1 teaspoon shahi zeera (a blend of black and white cumin seeds)

1/4 cup ghee or clarified butter

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped cashews

First, rinse the rice in cold water to remove any excess starch and dirt. Then, add the rice to a large pot along with the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for about 20 minutes, or until it is fully cooked.

While the rice is cooking, heat the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sugar has fully dissolved and the milk has reduced slightly.

Once the rice is fully cooked, drain off any excess water and add the milk mixture to the pot. Stir the rice and milk together until the rice is evenly coated and the milk has been absorbed.

Next, heat the ghee in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the raisins and nuts to the ghee and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the raisins have plumped up and the nuts are golden brown.

Finally, sprinkle the raisins and nuts over the top of the rice and serve hot. You can serve Zarda Rice as is, or you can garnish it with a sprinkle of ground cardamom or a few additional raisins and nuts for added flavor and texture.

Zarda Rice is a delicious and festive rice dish that is perfect for special occasions and celebrations. It is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or as a dessert.

 Whether you are hosting a holiday party or simply looking for a new and exciting way to serve rice, Zarda Rice is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.