Tuesday, June 23, 2026
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Quetta, Pakistan
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Zarda (Sweet Rice) — زردہ

🍽️ Pakistani ⏱️ Prep: 15 mins 🔥 Cook: 35 mins 🍲 Serves: 6

Bright yellow sweet rice fragrant with cardamom, studded with nuts and dried fruit — a must at weddings and celebrations.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basmati rice, soaked
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • A pinch of yellow food colour
  • 1/2 cup ghee
  • Cardamom, cloves
  • Almonds, pistachios, raisins
  • Khoya (optional)

Method

  1. Boil the rice with the colour until 70% done, then drain.
  2. Heat ghee with cardamom and cloves, add the rice and sugar and mix gently.
  3. Cover and steam on low heat until the sugar melts and the rice is done.
  4. Fold in the nuts and raisins and serve warm.