Zarda

RecipenKitchen Recipe 1 h 20 min · Serves 6 · Pakistani

Why make it Zarda is a golden sweet rice scented with cardamom and kewra, layered with sugar, ghee, nuts and raisins, then steamed on dum. A festive dessert for weddings, Eid and special dinners.

You’ll need

Serves 6 400 g long-grain basmati rice 1.5 l water, for boiling the rice 5 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed 4 cloves 1 pinch salt 250 g sugar 100 g ghee ¼ tsp orange-yellow food colour powder, dissolved in 3 tbsp… + 5 more in the full recipe

1 Step 1 of 7 Wash the rice in several changes of cold water until the water runs almost clear. Soak in fresh water for 30 minutes, then drain well.

2 Step 2 of 7 Bring the 1.5 litres of water to a boil in a large pot with the cardamom, cloves and salt. Meanwhile, melt the ghee in a small pan over medium-low heat, add the almonds and fry for 1 minute, then add the pistachios, raisins and c…

3 Step 3 of 7 Add the drained rice to the boiling water and cook on medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes. It is ready when a grain breaks easily between your fingers but still has a firm white dot at the centre. Drain at once in a colander and dis…

4 Step 4 of 7 Spread half the rice in the empty pot. Sprinkle over half the sugar, half the coloured milk and half the fried nuts and raisins.

5 Step 5 of 7 Add the remaining rice in an even layer, then the rest of the sugar, colour and nuts, keeping a few nuts aside for garnish. Pour the warm ghee over the top and sprinkle with kewra water. Poke 4–5 holes down to the base with the h… The last 2 steps are in the full recipe.

Cook’s tip Do not overcook the rice before layering. It keeps cooking in the sugar and steam, and soft rice turns mushy.

Zarda

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