Special Zarda
Special Zarda
Zarda is a well known dessert in the Sub-continent and is known to have a history since the Mughal era. It was served on auspicious occassions and was quite a rich dessert. Zarda is a traditional boiled sweet rice dish and has a cardamom flavour to it. Usually Biryani is served as the main dish and Zarda is complemented as a Dessert dish.This recipe is inspired by the Students Biryani Special Zarda which is garnished with Khoya, Candided fruits, Nuts and mini Gulab Jamuns. The Khoya and the Gulab Jamun were ofcourse my favourite garnishing ingredients. Whenever I make this dish my boys tell me that it reminds them of the Student Biryani Special Zarda, which is a huge compliment in itself. So do give this recipe a try as it will definitely be a crowd pleaser and a hit at home!
Ingredients
- 500 gms Sela Rice Soak it in water for 2 hours
- 400 gms Sugar (you may increase or decrease the sugar amount as per your taste)
- 1/2 cup Ghee
- 1 tsp Yellow food colour/Zarda colour
- 1 tbsp Kewra Water
- 6 Green Cardamom/Elaichi Use half (Quantity 3) when boiling rice
- 4-5 Cloves
Ingredients for Garnishing
- 300 gms Khoya
- 10 Gulab Jamuns
- Almonds and Pistachios As required
- Candied Fruits (Ashrafiyan) As required
Instructions
- Strain the soaked Rice
- In a Separate pot add water and bring it to a boil
- Add the food colour and 3 green Cardamoms/Elaichi to the water and give it a good stir
- Now add the rice and bring it to boil
- Once the rice is cooked, strain it and keep it aside (don't overcook the rice)
- Now take another pot (preferably a non stick one) and add the Ghee
- Once the Ghee is hot, add the Cloves and remainder of the Green Cardamom and saute for about a minute until fragrant
- Now add the rice and give it a good mix until its well glazed with the Ghee
- Drizzle the Kewra essence and add the sugar over the Rice
- Now cover the rice and set the stove on low flame
- You may use a Tawa under the pot to prevent the rice from sticking below if you don't have a non-stick dish
- Let the rice steam for about 10-15 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved. You may give the Rice and sugar a stir in between
- Once the sugar is dissolved, switch off the stove and keep the rice aside
- Dish out the Zarda in a platter
- Now you may garnish your Zarda with all the garnishing ingredients and serve warm
- TIP: Zarda is the best dessert to complement with Biryani for any parties or gathering!
If you would like to make Gulab Jamuns at home please follow the recipe on the Meetha-pa recipe category of the blog https://desibypardesi.com/gulab-jamun/
Please watch the video below for the garnishing technique
Video
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