ZARDA - THE SWEET SAFFRON RICE

ZARDA - THE SWEET SAFFRON RICE........PREPARED IN NORTH INDIA DURING THE HARVEST FESTIVAL - BAISAKHI. THIS RECIPE IS DEDICATED TO TWINKLE SIDHU WHO SHARED THE RECIPE WITH ITS SECRET INGREDIENTS WITH ME......

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Ingredients :

Long grain basmati rice - 1 cup
Sugar - 3/4  cup
Orange juice - 13/4 cup
Orange rind - 2 Tsp (cut length wise finely)
Saffron strands - 2 pinch
Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp
Desi ghee - 3 Tbsp
Almonds - 2 Tbsp (cut length wise)
                                          Raisins - 2 Tsps 

Method :

Wash and soak the rice for half an hour.
Boil 4 cups of water in a pot and add the rice along with the turmeric powder.
Cook the rice until  nearly done.
Discard the remaining water immediately.
Put the rice in a sieve and let it cool down..
In a flat bottomed wide pan add the desi ghee.
Heat and fry the orange rind.
Add the orange juice .
Add the saffron .
On top of the orange juice add the boiled rice...do not stir
On top of the rice sprinkle the sugar evenly....do not stir
Add the almonds and raisins.
Cover with a lid and let it cook on low flame for 5-6 minutes.
Open the lid of the pan and delicately stir the rice, taking care that the grains do not break.
Serve hot ........