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    Home » Dessert

    Fluffy Homemade Stovetop Zarda

    Oct 26, 2022 by Sarah Mirza · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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
    zarda in a bowl and a fork in a plate.

    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.
    zarda in a pot.

    HOW TO MAKE ZARDA?

    Soak the rice for sometime.
    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.
    Seal the lid with foil.
    On a stovetop, place the tawa, and place the sealed pot on the stove.
    It should look like this after.
    Add khoya, almonds, and cashews and mix well.
    Enjoy!

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH?

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

    zarda with kakronde on top.

    Let's Make Pakistani Zarda!!!

    zarda in a bowl and a fork in a plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Fluffy Homemade Stovetop Zarda

    Fully Homemade Stovetop Zarda is a classic Pakistani dessert recipe. Sweet yellow-orange rice set in layers mixed with khoya and mix nuts. 
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani
    Keyword: chawal, meethay, meethay chawal, sweet rice, zarda
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 420kcal
    Author: Sarah Mirza

    Ingredients

    • 2 cup basmati rice
    • 1½ cup sugar
    • 4 ghee
    • 1 tsp kewra
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 2 tbsp milk
    • 15 cups water

    Garnish

    • 1 cup khoya
    • 1 cup almond
    • 1 cup cashews
    • 1 cup tutti frutti kakronde (optional)

    Instructions

    • Soak the almonds overnight.
    • Rinse and soak the rice for 30 minutes.
    • On a stovetop, on high heat, bring water to boil.
    • Add in 2 green cardamoms, 2 cloves, salt, and orange food coloring.
    • Parboil the rice, this step will take about 7 minutes.
    • Strain the rice. Set aside.
    • Now turn the heat to medium, in the same pot add in ghee and let it melt.
    • Next add in 2 green cardamoms and 2 cloves.
    • Add milk.
    • Now start the layering process, add half of rice.
    • Next add half of the sugar, Kewra and half of the kakronde.
    • Next add in the rest of the rice along with rest of the sugar, kewra and kakronde.
    • Wrap the lid of the pot with foil.
    • Place the foil wrap lid on the pot.
    • Place the tawa on the stove.
    • Then put the pot on the tawa.
    • Turn the stove to high for 5 minute.
    • Now turn the stove to medium for 10 minutes.
    • Now turn the stove to low for 15 minutes.
    • Turn off the stove let it sit for 5 minutes.
    • Mix everything well.
    • Now add khoya and sprinkle kakronde on top.
    • Mix it again.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 50g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Comments

    1. Samiya says

      November 07, 2022 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out so yummy and very easy to follow recipe 👍🏼

      Reply
      • Sarah Mirza says

        November 07, 2022 at 2:41 pm

        Thank you so much zarda is so yummy I agree... <3

        Reply

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