Zarda Pulao / Jarda Pulao
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
An aromatic and colorful rice dessert, often prepared at home during other festivals and celebration. A must dessert for Bangladeshi wedding.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Bangladeshi
Serves: 16
Ingredients
  • 2 cup rice, basmati or kalijeera
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup ghee or butter
  • 2-3 sticks of cinnamon, half inches each
  • 4-5 green cardamom
  • 3-4 clove
  • 2½ cup orange juice
  • 2 cup water
  • pinch of orange food color (optional)
  • pinch of saffron
  • Pistachio, pieces of morobba, for garnish
Instructions
  1. Add 2 cups of orange juice with 2 cups of water. Add orange food color and boil.
  2. Add rice and cook until rice is done.
  3. Drain the rice and spread in a platter so that rice does not stick.
  4. Add saffron in 1 tablespoon of water. Set aside.
  5. In a pan, add sugar and remaining ½ cup of orange juice.
  6. Sprinkle cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
  7. Add ghee/butter and stir until sugar dissolves.
  8. Add rice, saffron water and mix well in low heat.
  9. Once liquid is dried, turn off stove.
  10. Spread zarda in a platter so that rice does not get sticky. Fluff with a fork.
  11. Garnish with pistachio and small pieces of morobba and orange slices.
Notes
Zarda can be prepared with pineapple juice instead of orange juice. In addition, add crushed pineapple in the sugar syrup and cook until pineapple is soft before adding rice for a completely different taste.
You may also garnish zarda with raisins, almonds and small pieces of golab jamun.
The oranges/clementine’s I used were very sweet. If you are using store brought juice, keep in mind that some juices have added sugar, some don’t. Adjust sugar depending on the type of juice used.
Recipe by WithASpin at https://withaspin.com/2014/02/10/zarda-pulao/