Zarda(mitha rice) recipe

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup ghee / clarified butter
• 8 cashew / kaju, halves
• 5 almond / badam, chopped
• 2 tsp raisins / kishmish
• 2 tsp dry coconut / kopra
  
• 2 pods cardamom / elachi
• 4 cloves / lavang
• 1 cup water
• ¼ tsp saffron / kesar
• ¼ tsp orange food colour, optional
• ½ cup basmati rice, soaked 30 minutes
• ½ cup sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

• firstly, in a large kadai heat 2 tbsp ghee and roast 8 cashew, 5 almond, 2 tsp raisins and 2 tsp dry coconut.
• roast to golden brown on low flame and keep aside.
• in the remaining ghee add 2 pods cardamom and 4 cloves.
• also add 1 cup water, ¼ tsp saffron and ¼ tsp orange food colour.
• mix well making sure the colour is mixed well.
• further, add 1 cup soaked basmati rice (30 minutes) and mix well.
• cover and cook on medium flame for 10 minutes.
• mix gently, making sure rice is half cooked.
• further add ½ cup sugar, 2 tbsp ghee and roasted dry fruits.
• mix gently making sure sugar melts.
• cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• stir in between to prevent from burning.
• cook until the rice is cooked completely. and do not overcook as rice turns mushy.
• finally, serve meethe chawal / zarda pulao hot garnished with few chopped nuts.