Sweet Orange Rice (Zarda)

I sincerely hope you would share the same passion as me!

This is a Punjabi dish, typically served after a meal. Though it is a popular dessert on special occasions such as weddings.

Zarda means orange, as the food colouring added to the rice gives it an orange colour.

Made with sugar and rice, flavoured with cardamom, pistachios and almonds.

Wash and soak the rice for about half an hour.

Then drain the water and set aside.

In a bowl blanch the almonds in some hot water for 3-5 minutes.

Drain the water and gently squeeze the almonds between two fingers, to loosen the skin to peel off.

Use a sharp knife to slice the almonds into half and then into thin slivers.

Set aside.

Boil with excess water, in a saucepan.

Drop the cardamom pods in a bouquet garni using a teabag or a muslin cloth. Then drop the bag in the boiling water.

Add a teaspoon of orange food colouring.

Rapidly boil the liquid on a high heat.

Gradually add the rice to the liquid.

Boil the rice until 90% cooked.

This process should take 3-5 minutes.

Discard the bouquet garni and drain the rice.

Leave to drain any liquid that is left in the rice.

Using the same saucepan add some ghee, sugar, sliced almonds, chopped pistachios and finally sprinkle the cardamom powder.

Give it a quick stir.

Then pour in the cooked rice.

Stir to combine together.

Cover the saucepan and cook for 20 minutes on the lowest heat, to allow the rice to cook fully.

Transfer into a serving dish and serve.