Zarda-Kashmiri Sweet Saffron Rice

 

 Hi
When I read Valli’s Post On Zarda, I was relieved because I had not yet cooked for the last post on traditional dishes and my mind refused to think for any recipes  this recipe just fit into the groove. On Vaishali’s suggestion Valli announced Zarda for ICC for this month and after having seen this on both Valli’s and Vaishali’s space, I thought it would be very easy as i had all the supplies mentioned in the recipe. Does this also happen to you , that u search desperately for some simple imgredient in the pantry and that just seems to have vanished???Well, that’s exactly what happened here. I opened the basmati rice box and it was empty, opened the fridge and searched for tutty frutty, could find only the green ones…where are the reds and yellows????????(In my hubby’s tummy I guess)…where are the pistachios????Omg I had only the saffron and almonds…yet this did not deter me…I cooked it and it is yummm. Thank you Valli and Vaishali!!!

INGREDIENTS
Basmati rice   2 cups
Sugar              1 cup
Pistachio          6 to 8chopped
Almond           6 “to 8chopped
Tutti Fruitty      handful
Cloves             3
Cinnamon         2
Ghee                1tbsp
Green cardamoms    4
Milk  1/2 cup
Yellow Food Color    Pinch
Saffron Strands        few

PREPARATION
Wash and soak the rice for 10-15 minutes. Drain it and keep aside
In a pan heat the sugar with just enough water and boil it till the sugar dissolves to form the dyrup. Switch off the fire and keep it aside.
Soak the saffron in warm milk and keep aside
In another pan, heat the ghee and add the cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and and when good flavour comes out add the rice  and 1 cup of water and let it cook on a low flame.
When the water starts to dry up, add the milk and the yellow colour , mix well  and let it simmer. When this milk starts to evaporate add the sugar syrup, mix well, Cook for 2 minutes and switch off the fire
Roast the dry fruits in ghee and add it to the flavoured rice
Taste very good!!
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 27