Zarda Recipe | Meethe Chawal (Indian Sweet Rice)

Whether or not you name it Zarda Pulao or Meethe Chawal, one factor stays the identical: this shiny and sunny dish is ideal for festive events. It is a aromatic, candy pulao or candy rice made with basmati rice, nuts, dry fruits, and saffron. Better of all, you solely want 8 components and half-hour of lively time to make my Zarda recipe at residence.

About Zarda Recipe

Zarda pulao is so named as a result of the phrase zard means ‘yellow’ in Persian and Urdu languages. Typical zarda pulao has a yellow coloration from utilizing yellow meals coloration. In my Zarda Recipe, I’ve used saffron to get that sunshiny coloration and haven’t used any synthetic colours by any means.

Zarda rice is made throughout festive events in our residence. That is my mother-in-law’s recipe and it has change into my go-to for this scrumptious dish. The strategy shared right here is straightforward and never tough.

Love candy or subtly spiced rice dishes? Strive our Jaggery Rice & Kashmiri Pulao subsequent!

There are numerous variations of creating zarda pulao in India in addition to in neighboring international locations like Bangladesh and Pakistan. What I’m sharing right here is how we make Zarda at residence and it is probably not thought of genuine by all events. That stated, it’s tremendous scrumptious.

This Zarda recipe yields a very scrumptious candy rice that can be cherished by each grown-ups and children. There are numerous dry fruit and nuts that you may add to the rice. I’ve used a mixture of cashews, almonds, and pistachios.

Raisins are additionally usually added, however I didn’t have any the day I made this batch. Do add raisins when you’ve got them, as they add beautiful pops of candy and chewy texture all through.

Serve Zarda Rice as a candy snack or a dessert. The recipe can simply be doubled or tripled in line with your wants.

Components & Substitutions

• Basmati Rice – I like aromatic basmati rice for nearly each recipe. That stated, be happy to make use of any lengthy grain rice you might have readily available (e.g. jasmine).
• Cloves – I exploit complete cloves right here for probably the most potent taste. In a pinch, you may swap in floor cloves.
• Saffron (Kesar) – For shiny yellow coloring and a little bit of taste.
• Water – If doable, use filtered water for one of the best taste.
• Ghee (Clarified Butter) – For richness. In case you want to make this vegan, swap in edible coconut oil or vegan butter.
• Inexperienced Cardamom Powder – For heat.
• Sugar – For sweetness. Be happy to make use of jaggery, cane sugar, or every other sweetener you favor.
• Almonds, Cashews & Pistachios – Any number of toasted nuts can be utilized right here. You can even substitute seeds like pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds in case you are a nut-free family. Alternatively, omit them altogether.
• Raisins – These are my most used dried fruit, however be happy to make use of any that you just and your loved ones want.

Step-by-Step Information

Methods to make Zarda Rice

This stunning meethe chawal comes collectively with out a lot fuss. Right here’s the way it’s carried out:

Stress Cook dinner Rice

1. Rinse ½ cup basmati rice very properly in water until the water runs away from starch. Then soak basmati rice for 20 to half-hour in sufficient water.

After 20 to half-hour drain all of the water and hold the rice apart.

2. In a 2 litre stress cooker, pour 1 cup water.

3. Add ⅛ teaspoon saffron strands (3 to 4 pinches of kesar).

4. With a spoon, stir in order that the saffron strands combine with water.

5. Then add ½ cup of the soaked basmati rice.

6. Add 5 to six cloves. You may even add 7 to 9 cloves for those who want.

7. Stress cook dinner for two whistles or for about 6 to 7 minutes on medium warmth.

8. As soon as the stress settles down, then open the lid and examine the rice if its cooked.

9. The rice simply must be cooked. Gently fluff the rice. You can even decide to cook dinner the rice grains till they’re al dente.

Make Zarda Pulao

1. In a heavy kadai or pan, add 3 tablespoons ghee.

2. With a spoon or spatula unfold ghee on all sides of the pan. That is carried out in order that the rice grains don’t stick with the pan when cooking.

3. Add the cooked rice within the pan.

4. Add ½ cup of sugar.

5. Sprinkle ¾ teaspoon inexperienced cardamom powder. You can even add 1 teaspoon cardamom powder for a extra pronounced cardamom aroma.

6. Combine properly however gently, in order that the sugar will get blended evenly with cooked rice grains.

7. On a low flame or low warmth, cook dinner the candy rice combination. You will notice the sugar melting and a few liquid consistency within the rice.

8. Stir the zarda rice combination sometimes.

9. Cook dinner until the sugar answer dries up.

If the rice grains really feel arduous, chewy or dense after cooking, then cowl the pan with a moist material or moist cotton serviette. Then cowl with a lid and cook dinner zarda pulao for 20 to 30 seconds on low warmth.

10. As soon as there is no such thing as a liquid consistency within the candy rice, then add 8 pistachios (sliced), 8 almonds (sliced) and eight cashews (sliced).

11. Combine properly and switch off the warmth. If including raisins, then you may add at this step.

12. Serve Zarda or Meethe Chawal sizzling or heat. Alternatively, you may unfold Candy Rice on a big plate after which serve.

Garnish Zarda Rice with some cashews, raisins, almonds, and pistachios whereas serving. Take pleasure in!

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Extra Indian rice recipes

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This Zarda recipe from the archives, initially revealed in June 2017 has been up to date and republished on February 2023.