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Fluffy Homemade Stovetop Zarda is a classic Pakistani dessert recipe. Sweet yellow-orange rice set in layers mixed with khoya and mix nuts.

TABLE OF CONTENT

What is Zarda?
Video
What kind of rice to use for Zarda?
How to soak almonds?
Tips/Facts
Ingredients
How to make Zarda?
What to serve with Zarda?
The recipe

WHAT IS ZARDA?

Fluffy Homemade Stovetop Zarda comprises layers of sweet rice, khoya, and sweet nuts. Zarda is also called Meethay Chawal (Sweet Rice). It's a Pakistani traditional dessert, although it originated from Mughulai cuisine. Don't be fooled by its ostensibly intimidating aesthetic -- it's actually very easy to put together, just like Thick Pakistani Kheer.

VIDEO

WHAT KIND OF RICE TO USE FOR ZARDA?

The rice that is used for Zarda is long-grain aged basmati rice. I use the Royal Rice.

HOW TO SOAK ALMONDS?

The almonds need to be soaked overnight before peeling off the skin and slicing them into two the following morning.

TIPS/FACTS

Layer the Zarda as you would in biryani.
Contrary to popular belief, traditional Zarda is not cooked in milk.
Milk should be used a little bit so the rice won't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Always use a Tawa after the layering process when it's time for the "dum" (steaming process.)

INGREDIENTS

Rice- Most essential ingredient. Remember to use basmati rice.
Sugar- Without sugar there will be no sweet rice (although you can substitute Stiva and adjust the quality to your liking).
Cloves and Green Cardamom- I think these two ingredients are essential in every recipe, be it sweet or savory.
Ghee- Desi Ghee is a traditional ingredient but can be substituted with oil.
Salt- Almost every dessert needs a little bit of salt.
Milk- Enough so the rice won't stick to the pot.
Water- Need a lot of water to boil the rice.
Khoya- A classic garnish for the Zarda.
Almonds and Cashews- Remember to soak the almonds according to the recipe.

HOW TO MAKE ZARDA?

Add water, and let it come to a boil then add orange food color, some cloves and green cardamom.

Let it come to boil and then add the rice. Parboil the rice, See my post about Basmati Rice (Perfect & Easy) to see how to perfectly parboil the rice.

Drain the water, when the rice are parboiled.

Now add ghee, let it melt, then add some green cardamoms and cloves.

Lay a thick layer of rice and half of the sugar and some tutti frutti.

One more layer of rest of the rice, rest of the sugar, and some tutti frutti, and some Kewra this time.

On a stovetop, place the tawa, and place the sealed pot on the stove.

Add khoya, almonds, and cashews and mix well.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH?

Zarda is served with Mutton Biryani and Mutton Korma. This is a traditional spread with Zarda.

Let's Make Pakistani Zarda!!!

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