Meethi Chawal/Sweet rice/Zarda

Name: Meethi Chawal/Sweet rice/Zarda
Total time: 1800 s
Yield: 4-5 people
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup long grain Basmati rice; 2tablespoon+1 teaspoon Ghee; 2-3 Cardamom pods; 4-5 Cloves; 1 small piece of Cinnamon; 1 Bay leaf; 1/4 cup fresh Orange juice; 1 teaspoon Orange zest; 1/4 cup Brown sugar; 1/2 cup assorted dry fruits and nuts; 1/4 cup Khoya (dried milk); 1/4 teaspoon saffron strands; 1 pinch Salt; as required Some dried Rose patels to garnish

Sabrina Yasmin @barak_kitchen

Riyadh

#bp22
Basant Panchami marks the beginning of spring season. It is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in Hindu religion. As Goddess Saraswati is fond of the yellow color,yellow colored dresses are worn on this day and dishes of yellow color are offered and served as prasad.Ssweet yellow rice recipe is the most popular one. among other yellow dishes offering as prasad.
Though traditionally orange and khoya/mawa is not used in sweet rice, I added orange juice and orange zest to have some citrus flavour to my sweet rice. And for richness,I added some homemade khoya which really enhances the entire dish to next level.

Sabrina Yasmin @barak_kitchen

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Ingredients

30 min

4-5 people

1 cuplong grain Basmati rice
2tablespoon+1 teaspoon Ghee
2-3Cardamom pods
4-5Cloves
1small piece of Cinnamon
1Bay leaf
1/4 cupfresh Orange juice
1 teaspoonOrange zest
1/4 cupBrown sugar
1/2 cupassorted dry fruits and nuts
1/4 cupKhoya (dried milk)
1/4 teaspoonsaffron strands
1 pinchSalt
as required Some dried Rose patels to garnish

Saved

Steps

30 min

1

Soak saffron strands in 2 tablespoon of warm water and set aside.
2

Wash basmati rice nicely and then soak them in plenty of water for at least 30 minutes.
3

Before starting cooking process, place all the ingredients in one place.
4

Place a large saucepan to high heat and add in sufficient water.
5

Also add in 2-3 cardamom, 3-4 cloves, a small piece of cinnamon and a bay leaf and 1 teaspoon of ghee.
6

Bring the water to rolling boil and then add in the soaked rice(drained).
7

When the rice is cooked about 90%, drain to a colander. Set aside.
8

Place a heavy bottomed pot to stove top and heat 2 tablespoon of ghee.
9

To the melted ghee, add in assorted nuts and fry for 2-3 minutes. I added chopped pistachios a little later as they are small in size.
10

Next add in brown sugar and freshly squeezed orange juice,saffron water and a pinch of salt. Stir well in medium heat until sugar melts.
11

Also add in orange zest and a pinch of turmeric.Mix well.
12

Next add in drained rice and mix everything in light hand.
13

Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
14

After 10 minutes, remove the lid and add in crumbled khoya. Cover and simmer further 5 minutes.
15

Remove from heat. Set aside for 5 minutes and then fluff the rice lightly.
16

Delicious and aromatic yellow coloured sweet rice/meethi chawal/zarda is ready now to enjoy. I sprinkled some dried rose patels for garnishing. It's completely optional to use.