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Zarda Sweet Rice

Zarda Sweet Rice

by Nabeela Kauser
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.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian, Pakistani
Servings 6
Calories 561 kcal

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

Notes

Nutritional facts:
The provision of nutritional information is done merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 561kcalCarbohydrates: 117gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 67mgPotassium: 115mgFibre: 2gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 208IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cooking, Eid, Food, Ramadan, Rice, Sweet
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