Zarda Sweet Rice
Zarda Sweet Rice
5 from 1 vote
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Zarda Sweet Rice is a fragrant, colourful dessert made with rice, sugar, aromatic spices, butter, and crunchy dry fruits. The rice is gently cooked with a buttery, sweet syrup until fluffy and infused with rich flavours.

Nutrition: per serving

Calories561kcal
Carbs117g
Fat8g
Saturates4g
Sugars50g
Protein6g
Fibre2g

Ingredients

  • 1 litre Water
  • 500 g Rice
  • 300 g Sugar
  • 4 Cardamom
  • 4 Cloves
  • 1 tsp Yellow Food Colour
  • 50 g Butter
  • 50 ml Milk
  • Almonds
  • Cashews

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water, then soak it for 20–30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  • In a large pan, bring water to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add the rice along with cardamom, cloves, a cinnamon stick, and yellow food colour. Stir gently to mix the spices and colour evenly.
  • Cook the rice until it is about 80% done, keeping the grains slightly firm. Drain any excess water and set the rice aside.
  • In a separate pan, melt the butter over low heat until smooth and fragrant.
  • Add the sugar to the melted butter and stir gently. The sugar will not dissolve completely but will combine with the butter to form a crumbly, grainy mixture.
  • Pour in the milk and cook for 1–2 minutes while stirring to create a creamy, lightly sweet mixture.
  • Gently fold in the partially cooked rice, ensuring the grains are coated without breaking.
  • Sprinkle in your desired dry fruits such as almonds and cashews, then cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Cook on low heat for 10–15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the flavours and become soft and aromatic.
  • Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for a few minutes before serving.

Video

Latest comments (4)

Nabeela Kauser

Thanks for pointing that out! I’ve updated the recipe with the correct milk amount and video 😊

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