Ever since i took up the fruit drink/cold drink challenge, life seems to be more fun in kitchen these days. Every minute i keep thinking something new that i can recreate through these fruity drinks. I am simply loving this recipe developer inside me. In continuation to my fruit drink recipe development challenge, today on my blog is Sweet Rice aka Zarda. Zarda is a typical sweet rice dessert from Mughal cuisine, that is often made in Muslim homes specially when there is Biryani in the menu. Saffron colored sweet rice loaded with lots of fried nuts and dry fruits is a delightful dessert.
In this recipe, i gave a sweet and fruity twist to the regular Zarda. Yes, you got me right, i used mango flavored ready made drink for making the sweet syrup and then teemed up with rice and dry fruits to make a sweet and fruity Mango Zarda or Sweet rice. Now isn’t that amazing! I personally like mango flavored dishes and have tried almost many recipes where mango pieces or puree is used as a flavoring agent. But working with soft drinks was a unique experience and trust me the rice tasted simply awesome. It was sweet, yet had a fruit punch and smelled mango…bliss!
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
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- Wash rise in running water till water appears clear. Soak the rice for 40-45 mins before cooking.
- Heat water in a large vessel, the water measurement should be double the rice.
- Once the water starts heating , add soaked rice along with green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf.
- When the rice starts cooking add 1 tsp of ghee and saffron and cook the rice till 90% done.
- Turn off the gas and pass the rice through a colander to drain water. Collect the rice and spread on a wide tray so that they don't stick to each other.
- Meanwhile fry the dry fruits in ghee, keep aside and prepare the maaza syrup.
- Heat mango drink in a wok and once it starts boiling add sugar and boils til sugar melts and starts to thicken.
- Simmer the gas and add the cooked rice in the syrup and mix gently.
- Let the rice cook in medium to high flame till everything starts drying up. Add ghee and mix well, this will avoid the stickiness.
- Turn off the gas and add the fried nuts and raisins in the rice and give a quick toss.
- Garnish with some more fried nuts, rose petals (optional) and mango pieces (optional) and serve hot/warm.
If you liked this innovative recipe, then try making it at your home and enjoy this fruity dessert. Drop in your feedback in comments below, i'll be glad to read them all. Thanks for stopping by!
Love : Shaheen
2 comments
Lovely..we make pineapple zarda but never tried with mango..so i was searching for it and i came to a right place..thanks for sharing.. Will try it very soon..
Thank you so much Afsheen. Yeah even I make pineapple Zarda but trust me this mango version is no less than the one you make. Do give a try and share your views with me. Hugs!