Zarda

Ingredients list for Zarda

• 2 cups Rice soaked
• 1/2 cup Saffron
• a generous Saffron (kesar)
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Ghee
• 3-4 Cloves
• 1 inch stick Cinnamon
• 3 Green cardamoms
• 1 tablespoon Raisins
• 5-6 Almonds, chopped
• 5-6 Cashewnuts, chopped

Method

1. Soak rice in four cups of water for one hour. Drain. Heat two and a half cups of water in a deep pan. Add saffron and bring it to a boil.
2. Add rice and let it come to a boil again. Reduce heat and let the rice cook till it is three fourths done. Divide it into three portions.
3. Heat two tablespoons ghee in a pan and sauté cashewnuts and raisins till golden. Set aside. Preheat oven to 175°C. Take a glass bowl.
4. Spread a portion of rice. Sprinkle one-third of the sugar, one tablespoon ghee, one-third the grated mawa, one-third the fried nuts and a few drops of rose water. Repeat the layers twice. Mix a few drops of rose water in one-fourth cup of milk and sprinkle on the top.
5. Cover the bowl with double layers of aluminium foil. Place the bowl in the preheated oven and cook for fifteen to twenty minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it stand for some time before removing the foil and serving.