Zarda is a popular south Asian cuisine known especiallt for its sweet and yummy taste.
This is the popular sweet brown rice recipe which is generally known as Zarda in South Asian cuisine. It is prepared on many traditional occassions and use of attractive food colors makes it looks very delightful and attractive. The main ingredient of this recipe is brown rice which is very healthy for everyone. Use of other kind of rice will not produce good result as other rice become soggy/very soft when used for making zarda.
There are places where brown rice is not available , hence brown rice can be substituted with Basmati rice of one's choice instead. The most fascinating factor of Zarda is its orange colour which gives the food a rich look and delight to the eyes of the foodie.



Ingredients:
1 kg Brown rice
1.25 kg sugar
250 gm desi ghee
3-4 cloves
5 green cardamoms
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 kg boiled milk
3 tbsps pistachio for garnishing
2 tbsps almond for garnishing
2 tbsps raisins for garnishing
1 pinch orange food color
4-5 Saffron stands
1 tspn Lemon juice
1/4 cup FreshOrange Juice (Optional).


Method:

1. Boil water to cook brown rice and add orange food color in the water. Put rice in the and let it cook for 5-8 mins when rice boil drain all the extra water.
2. Cook the rice till three-fourth done. Drain.
3. Pour lemon juice over the rice and then wash again with cold water so that the rice grains remain separate.
4. In a pan, put ghee and fry cloves, cardamom and cinnamon, when they turn brown and smell starts to come add sugar and milk. Always put sugar first otherwise by putting milk in heated oil/ghee it will beocme danger for you to handle because drops of milk quickly scattered and may damage your face.
5. Now make syrup of milk and sugar by constant stirring otherwise sugar will stick in the pan. Add saffron strands and stir.
   
6. When all the sugar has been dissolved and white foams appear on the surface of the syrup (it will take at least 15 mins.) add boiled rice in it and mix well.
7. Cook on medium flame until all the liquid dry and rice absorb all the syrup.
8. Stir in the raisins and chopped nuts. Place a tawa underneath the vessel and cook over low heat till all the water is absorbed.
   
9. Serve hot or cold.
   

Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves : 4 persons
Shelflife: Best fresh
Serving Suggestion: Serve the delicious sweet brown rice / zarda by garnishing crushed pistachio, almonds and raisons on top. Small pieces of gulab jamun also serve with it.


Note:
You can also use original saffron in this recipe instead of food color and if you sprinkle some khoya on the top it will become more delicious.



Click here to learn more about Uttarpradesh Foods and cuisines : An Introduction To Uttarpradesh Foods and Cuisines.


Click here to learn more about Indian sweets and Desserts: An Introduction To Indian Sweets And Desserts.