Zarda

Ingredients

• 2 cups ‏Aromatic rice (Kalojeera/Chinigura)

• 1 cup ‏Sugar

• 2 pcs ‏Bay leaves

• 2 pcs ‏Cinnamon

• 5-6 pcs ‏Cloves

• 1/2 tsp ‏Cardamom powder

• 1/2 cup ‏Ghee

• As required ‏Dry fruits (Nuts, raisins etc.)

• As required ‏Confiture (Morobba)

• 1 tsp ‏Food color (Orange/Egg Yolk)

 Directions:

Wash rice till you get clean water, soak in water for 10 minutes and drain well.

Now pour enough water in a large pan and 1 tsp soybean/vegetable oil. Bring it to a boil. While boiling add rice in it, also add 1 tsp egg yolk or orange food color and cook for exactly 6 minutes. Rice should be cooked 70%. Then drain water. No need to wash rice with cold water this time.

Now place a pan on the burner and add sugar & 1/2 cup of water in it. Turn the heat on and add cardamom powder, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, ghee and wait till sugar dissolved and starts boiling. While boiling add rice in it. Give a nice mix by a spatula. Cover with the lid and cook for 7 minutes on medium-low heat.

Now add dry fruits, confiture/morabba (optional) and cover them with some rice. Now cook for 5 minutes more on very low heat. Then turn the heat off. Add 1 tsp ghee on the top and leave for 5 minutes with the lid. Your sweet rice is ready to be served.