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Saturday, June 8, 2013

Zarda ( Sweet Yellow Rice )


Zarda ( Sweet Yellow Rice ) ... Zarda is a traditional Pakistani / Indian sweet rice dish with dried fruits & nuts. The name Zarda is derived from the Persian and Urdu word 'zard' meaning 'yellow'. It is a popular dessert on weddings and also distributed during Islamic festivals and religious occasions.


Zarda ( Sweet Yellow Rice )
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Serves : 4 - 6


Ingredients :
  • 250 gm.  Basmati or Sella rice
  • Water, as required ( for boiling rice )
  • Yellow or orange food color, as required
  • 1 star anise
  • 3 - 4 cloves
  • 1/4 cup ghee / cooking oil
  • 3 - 4 green cardamoms
  • 200 - 250 gm.  sugar
  • 2 tbsp.  almonds ( blanched, peeled & sliced )
  • 2 tbsp.  sliced pistachios
  • 2 tbsp.  raisins
  • 2 tbsp.  fresh or dried coconut, thinly sliced
  • 100 gm.  murabba / ashrafis ( candied fruits )
  • 100 gm.  khoya, gulab jamun or cham cham; optional
  • 1 tsp.  kewra water
Method :
  • Wash and soak rice in enough water to cover by 2 inches, for half an hour to two hours, depending on the variety of rice you are using. Drain water and set aside.
  • Boil water in a large pan with food color, star anise and cloves.
  • Add drained rice and boil till fully cooked. Drain water and keep aside.
  • Heat ghee in the pan, add cardamoms. When it crackles, add the drained rice, sugar, almonds, pistachios, coconut & raisins.
  • Cook on low heat, covered until the sugar dissolves.
  • Turn heat to high and cook uncovered , stirring occasionally until the water dries out.
  • Now add murabba / ashrafi on top of rice and cook on very low heat, covered for 8 - 10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, add kewra water and mix gently. 
  • Serve garnished with khoya, gulab jamun and cham cham, if desired.

Linking this to these parties : The Sunday Showcase Party , nifty thrifty sunday , Sundae Scoop , Think Pink Sundays , Sugar & Slice Sunday , Martha Mondays , A Round Tuit , Make it Pretty Monday , What’d You Do This Weekend? , Tasty Tuesdays , Tuesday's Table , Tasteful Tuesdays , Tuesday Talent Show , Wednesday Adorned from Above , Whatcha' Whipped Up , Hookin Up with HoH , It's a Party! , Cast Party Wednesday , Wicked Awesome Wednesday , Riverton Housewives Round Up , Two Girls and a Party ( Parrish & Dana ) , Full Plate Thursday , SYS Blog Link Party , Tasty Creations , The Weekly Creative , Blog Stalking Thursday , Thursday's treasures ( Christie, Debi & Joan ) , Showcase Your Talent Thursday , Tasty Thursday , Simply Create Link Party ( Ashley & Melissa ) , what's shakin' link party , Friday Favorites , Happy Hour Friday , Shine On Fridays ( Kara , Amy , Kirsten , Hannah ) , Look What's Cookin' , Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday , Foodie Friday , Freedom Fridays , Show Off Friday , Do Something Crafty Friday , Friday Flash Blog , T.G.I.F. Link Party , The Weekend re-Treat , Strut Your Stuff Saturday , Serenity Saturday , SHOW-licious Craft Showcase , Your Great Idea Link Party


Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the recipe!!!

34 comments:

  1. So yum...have always wanted 2 try this...

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  2. looks soooo much good. Can I have some?

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  3. Sounds awesome! Never had a sweet rice dish before, sounds delicious :)

    Happy Blogging!
    Happy Valley Chow

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  4. Ambreen,Zarda looks so delicious..I have this in my to do list.

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  5. WOWWWW This is super interesting!
    I've never eaten it, but it seems like something I'd love
    Thanks for the recipe - I will try it soon :)

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  6. This rice looks flavoursome and love the colour :)

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  7. this rice is very appealing one...

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  8. love zarda pulao. love to do this.

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  9. this is such a great recipe to have in one's collection! Judging by the posts you've had recently, it looks like you're getting ready for Ramadan!

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    1. Thank you Henna. Wish I could share more recipes for Ramadan!

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  10. Very tempting and flavourful Zarda,love it very much.

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  11. Replies
    1. Thank you Rafeeda, Raksha, Eric, Meena, Winnie, Uru, Wer SAHM, Sebeena, myninjanaan, Priya, Jeni for visiting & for your lovely comments :)

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  12. Wow! How beautiful and it looks so good to eat! I'm going to have to make this for my family. They love trying something new. Plus, I will get to try out cardamon. I never have. --Deb (DialMforMoms.com)

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  13. Thank you Deborah for stopping by. let me know how it turns out :)

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  14. We make a rice pudding but other than that I haven't thought of rice as a sweet plate. Your zarda looks very unique and the yellow color so amazing!

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing at A Peek Into My Paradise TGIF Link Party. I can't wait to see what you link up next week! I hope to see you at the (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
    Have a great week!
    Hugs! Cathy

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  16. back home used to had this in marriages, lovely dish.

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  17. Mmm this yellow rice look fantastic :) Also, I’d like to invite you to come link up with me at my link party! I’d love it if you could stop by & link up some of your recipes! Here's the link: http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/tasty-tuesdays-14-plus-16-dad-approved-fathers-day-recipes.html

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  18. I love the flavors and colors in your cooking. I also love that you expose me to ideas and concept that I never thought of before! Thanks for continuing to share at What'd You Do This Weekend. Best wishes for tasty dishes this week!

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  19. Love this tempting and beautiful dessert!

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  20. Haven't tried Zarda since such a long time. A friend of mine used to make this when we were in college and it was she who introduced me to this sweet version of rice.
    Your preparation looks beautiful and so inviting!

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  21. :) Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers!

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  22. Ambreen,
    We would just love this lovely dish. Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  23. Oh my goodness, those flavors all sound so wonderful together! This looks and sounds great - pinning right now. Thank you for sharing at Tasty Tuesdays. :)

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  24. I have never tried that kind of rice before but it looks like it would be a hit with the boys!

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  25. Yummy zarda.. Awesome clicks... Loved it Ambreen :-)

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  26. I can make a whole meal of this rice... love it thank you for sharing it with us on foodie friday.

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