Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
4 1/2 cups fresh milk
1 tablespoon cardamom seed
1/2 teaspoon saffron essence or 1/2 teaspoon pineapple essence
4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup fresh rose petals , washed
25 g almonds , blanched
25 g pistachios , blanched
25 g cashews
25 g raisins
edible silver foil , as required
3 tablespoons ghee
salt
Zarda, also known as Meethe Chawal or Sweet Rice, is a popular dessert in South Asia. It is traditionally served at weddings and other festive occasions, but can also be enjoyed as a sweet treat on its own. The dish is made by boiling rice with milk, sugar, and aromatic spices until it forms a creamy and fragrant pudding. Zarda typically contains fried nuts and raisins, giving it a crunchy and sweet texture that complements the softness of the rice pudding. This recipe also features the addition of fresh rose petals, which adds a floral and unique flavor to the dish.

Instructions

1.Rinse the rice in water 2-3 times and soak in enough water to cover for an hour.
2.Boil the rice in a pot of water with 1 tablespoon of ghee and salt for about 10 minutes, or until cooked. Drain and set aside.
3.In a separate pot, heat 3 tablespoons of ghee over medium heat and fry the almonds, pistachios, cashews, and raisins until golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4.In the same pot, add 4 1/2 cups of milk and bring to a boil.
5.Stir in the cardamom seeds, saffron or pineapple essence, and sugar until dissolved.
6.Add the cooked rice to the pot and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the milk has been absorbed. Stir occasionally.
7.Once the rice has absorbed the milk, add in the fresh rose petals and stir gently.
8.Garnish with fried nuts and silver foil, if desired, and serve warm.

PROS

Zarda is a delicious and sweet rice pudding dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a meal.

The addition of rose petals gives it a unique and fragrant flavor profile that many people enjoy.

CONS

This dessert is high in calories and sugar, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

It may not be suitable for people with nut allergies due to the use of almonds, pistachios, and cashews in the recipe.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While Zarda is not particularly healthy, it does contain some nutritional benefits.
Rice is a good source of carbohydrates and provides energy to the body.
Almonds, pistachios, and cashews all contain healthy fats and proteins that are beneficial for the body when consumed in moderation.
Rose petals have been linked to reducing stress and improving mood.

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