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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
  • Almonds
  • Cashews

Instructions

  • Begin by rinsing the rice thoroughly under cold running water, then soak it for 20–30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  • In a large pan, bring enough water to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add the cardamom, cloves, and yellow food colour, stirring gently to combine the flavours.
  • Drain the soaked rice and carefully add it to the boiling water. Cook the rice until it is about 80% done, ensuring it remains slightly firm at the center.
  • Drain the rice completely and set it aside in a colander to remove any excess water.
  • In a separate pan, melt the butter over low heat until it becomes fragrant and fully liquid.
  • Gradually add the sugar to the melted butter, stirring continuously until the sugar softens and blends well, forming a light syrup.
  • Pour in the milk and cook the mixture for 1–2 minutes, allowing it to warm and combine with the butter-sugar syrup.
  • Gently fold the partially cooked rice into the pan with the butter, sugar, and milk mixture. Add almonds, cashews, or any other desired dry fruits.
  • Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld and the rice to fully absorb the sweetness.
  • Remove from heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes before serving to ensure the rice is fluffy and evenly cooked.

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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