Traditional sweet rice, commonly known as zarda, remains a staple delicacy for weddings, festivals, and family celebrations across various households. Students at the Government Women's Postgraduate College in Ghazipur, working under the guidance of Home Science professor Neha Maurya, have outlined a step-by-step method to prepare this festive dish perfectly at home.
Required Ingredients and Proportions
Preparing this aromatic dish requires 1 cup of basmati rice, three-fourths to 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of ghee, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Additionally, the recipe calls for cardamom, saffron or yellow food coloring, cashews, almonds, raisins, cloves, and adequate water.
Proper Rice Boiling Technique
The process begins by washing the basmati rice thoroughly and allowing it to soak in water for 20 to 30 minutes. Following this soaking period, boil the rice until it reaches about 80 percent doneness. Care must be taken to ensure the grains do not become overly soft or mushy, and once cooked, the excess water should be completely drained.
Tempering and Mixing Steps
Heat ghee in a pan and add cardamom along with cloves for tempering. Introduce the partially cooked rice into the pan, followed by the sugar, saffron dissolved in milk or yellow food coloring, and chopped cashews, almonds, and raisins. Stir all the components gently to avoid breaking the delicate grains.
Simmering to Perfection
After combining every ingredient, cover the pan with a lid and let the contents cook on a low flame for 8 to 10 minutes. Once the rice is fully cooked and the sugar has melted and blended well, the zarda is ready. Additional dry fruits can be sprinkled on top as a garnish before serving.
A unique touch to elevate the flavor and aroma involves adding a small amount of finely minced outer colored layer of orange peel to the mixture. The white portion of the peel should be strictly avoided, as it can impart a bitter taste to the sweet rice.
