Sweet Yellow Rice Pudding (zarda)

(7)
"Sweet yellow rice pudding aka "Zarda" Growing up, mum would make this sweetened rice dish for us on special occasions and festivals. It's a popular Indian dessert made in a variety of ways, there's no set rules as to the colour for a start. I like to keep mine simple using basmati rice that is coloured with a natural yellow food colouring whilst boiling it to give it the vibrant hue. Then add this cooked rice to a syrup made using ghee, sugar, cardamom and rosewater and let it infuse through the rice. Mix in a variety of nuts, (whatever takes your fancy), I love whole peeled almonds that have been soaking overnight, pistachio, and chopped macadamias. I also added some candied fruit, including apricots, dates, sultanas and goji berries. A little shaved or desiccated coconut gives it further texture. Back in the day, my mum used glacé cherries (how vintage!) . A great dessert, we love eating this with cream or ice cream for extra decadence. Hope you're all looking forward to the weekend ! #sweet #rice #indian "
-- @fredashafi_spiceitup

Recipe Intro From fredashafi_spiceitup

Sweet sticky and yellow , this is 'zarda' by @fredashafi_spiceitup

INGREDIENTS
2 cups rice
1/4 tsp saffron or 1 tsp yellow food colouring
150g sugar
Seeds from 2 cardamom pods
1 tsp rosewater
1/4 cup
Almonds and pistachio, chopped
1 cup candied fruit


DIRECTIONS
Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the saffron or yellow colouring . Add the rice and allow to boil until cooked . Drain the water.

In another saucepan boil 1 cup of water. Add the sugar, seeds of cardamom and rosewater. A syrup will form.

Fold in the rice until it's coated with syrup. Add the candied fruit and nuts. Mix through. Serve immediately with cream or whipped cream or ice cream.