Zarda

Zarda (sweet rice) is one of the traditional indian dish .

Recipe:

1 cup basmati rice

three-quarter cup sugar

2 tbsp pure ghee

pinch of cardamom powder

4 tbsp peeled and flaked almonds

 4-5 slices of tinned pineapple

half tsp yellow food colouring

2-3 tbspn of khoya or dried milk powder ( i used milk powder)

 Soak the rice for about 20-25 minutes.

Bring a pan of water to the boil and add colour and cardamom powder to the water. Then add the drained rice and boil on medium heat until the rice is about 90% done. Drain and set aside.

Now take a small pan and heat the pure ghee, add thefinely chopped pineapple and let them swell up, then turn the heat off.

 First put half the rice, then sprinkle half the sugar and half the almond flakes, again add the remaining rice, followed by sugar and almond flakes. Then drizzle the melted pure ghee with the cashewnuts  and sprinkle milk powder on top .

Turn the heat on high and stand over the pan. The sugar will start melting right away. Using your fingers or a fork, gently toss the rice with the rest of the ingredients so that it is all well mixed together.

Cover the pan with a cloth followed by the lid and put it on very low heat for about 15 minutes so that the rice gets steamed nicely. Uncover, toss with a fork and serve warm!! :)

PS: The sugar that melts over the rice helps make sure your rice maintains it's beautiful appearance, so it won't get mashed if you are careful in making this dish. Enjoy!