Zesty Zarda Delight

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) basmati rice 1 cup (200g) basmati rice
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands
• 1/4 cup (50g) sugar 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
• 4 green cardamom pods, crushed 4 green cardamom pods, crushed
• 4 cloves 4 cloves
• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 cup (30g) mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), chopped 1/4 cup (30g) mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), chopped
• 1/4 cup (30g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, dates, apricots), chopped 1/4 cup (30g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, dates, apricots), chopped

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 15g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. 2.
   In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and cook until it is 70% cooked. Drain the rice and set aside.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, soak the saffron strands in 2 tablespoons of warm milk for 10 minutes.
4. 4.
   In a separate pan, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the crushed cardamom pods and cloves, and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Add the partially cooked rice to the pan and mix well with the spices.
6. 6.
   Stir in the soaked saffron milk and sugar. Mix until the sugar is dissolved.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the rice cook for another 10-15 minutes until fully cooked and the flavors are well blended.
8. 8.
   In a small frying pan, heat a teaspoon of ghee and lightly roast the chopped nuts and dried fruits until golden and fragrant.
9. 9.
   Once the rice is cooked, remove it from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
10. 10.
    Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with the roasted nuts and dried fruits.
11. 11.
    Serve the Zesty Zarda warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Basmati rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy grains.
• Saffron strands — Soak the saffron in warm milk to release its vibrant color and aroma.
• Mixed nuts and dried fruits — Lightly roast them to enhance their flavors and add a delightful crunch to the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can substitute some of the water with milk.
• Adjust the sweetness according to your preference by adding more or less sugar.
• Experiment with different combinations of nuts and dried fruits for a personalized touch.
• Soaking the rice for 30 minutes before cooking can help achieve a fluffier texture.
• Leftover Zesty Zarda can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold the next day.

Serving advice

Serve Zesty Zarda as a dessert after a delicious Indian meal. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of flavors.

Presentation advice

Present Zesty Zarda in a vibrant serving dish to showcase its beautiful colors. Garnish with a sprinkle of saffron strands and a few whole nuts for an elegant touch.