Orange sweet rice, also known as zarda, is a sweet rice dish originating from Pakistan.
This recipe takes plain basmati rice and transforms it into a light, fluffy, and sweet dessert that is perfect to enjoy all your round.
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Orange sweet rice is a delicious and easy to make sweet rice recipe that is ready in no time.
Contrary to its name, the dish isn't flavored with oranges but derives its striking color from the use of orange food coloring.
Zarda is a delicious blend of fragrant, long-grain Basmati rice, butter or ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and aromatic cardamom.
This sweet and aromatic dish is often garnished with a medley of nuts, such as almonds and pistachios, which add a delightful crunch and contrast to the soft, flavorful rice.
Whether you're planning a Halloween gathering, a cozy family dinner, or a lively party, this treat is an excellent choice to impress your guests.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe for orange sweet rice is easy to make and can be customized to your liking.
- Great to serve at all occasions, including parties, birthdays, weeknight meals, or even special occasions like Halloween or Thanksgiving.
- Orange sweet rice is gluten free.
- This recipe for orange sweet rice is budget friendly.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $4.10 or $0.68 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Basmati Rice: For this recipe, you will need to first rinse your rice until the water runs clear. This should be about 2 to 3 rinses. After this, drain the water completely and then soak the rice in room temperature water for at least 20 minutes.
- Butter: Or ghee
- Cardamom Pods
- Milk
- Water
- Sugar
- Food Coloring: You can use yellow or orange food coloring. Optional.
- Salt
Instructions
This recipe for orange sweet rice serves 4 to 6. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
Step One: Rinse your rice until the water runs clear and then drain off the water. Soak the rice in room temperature water for at least 20 minutes. After this completely drain the rice.
Step Two: In a medium sized pot, add water till about ¾ of the way up and bring to the boil. Add the rice and then reduce the water to a simmer.
Step Three: Simmer the rice over low to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice starts to become tender. Stir occasionally.
Then drain the rice and set aside.
This is called parboiling your rice. It will help the rice get a soft and fluffy texture in the final dish. Cook the rice until just tender. Be careful not to overcook your rice.
Step Four: In a medium sized saucepan heat the butter (or ghee). Once hot add the cardamom pods and fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
Then add the milk, ¾ cup water, sugar, food coloring (if using), and salt. Stir and allow the sugar to completely dissolve.
Taste for sweetness, if you want it sweeter add more sugar. Next mix through the rice.
Step Five: Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to bring it to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the liquid is almost all absorbed and the rice is tender.
Step Six: Turn off the heat, allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, covered. Remove lid and remove cardamom pods. Serve.
Substitutions / Variations
Some variations on this easy orange rice you might like to try:
- Use coconut milk for a creamier and richer flavor.
- Mix through chopped nuts like toasted almonds or pecans.
- Add some orange zest to your rice before cooking.
- Add a pinch of ground cinnamon and cloves.
- With some rosewater or orange blossom
Serving Suggestions
This orange sweet rice is great to enjoy on it's own, but here are some other ways we love to serve this dish:
- With a dollop of fresh cream or custard,
- With fresh fruits for breakfast,
- Chopped nuts on top, such as almonds or pecans
Storage
This zarda can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Orange Sweet Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 grams, 7.05 ounces) basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon butter or ghee
- 2 green cardamom pods
- ⅓ cup (84ml/grams, 2.96 ounces) milk
- ¾ cup (188 ml/grams, 6.63 ounces) water plus extra to cook the rice
- ½ cup (100 grams, 3.53 ounces) sugar or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon orange or yellow food coloring optional
- Pinch of salt
To Garnish
- Slivered almonds Lightly toasted
Instructions
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear and then drain off the water. Soak the rice in room temperature water for at least 20 minutes. After this completely drain the rice.
- In a medium sized pot, add water till about ¾ of the way up and bring to the boil. Add the rice and then reduce the water to a simmer.
- Simmer the rice over low to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice starts to become tender. Stir occasionally. Then drain the rice and set aside. See note 1.
- In a medium sized saucepan heat the butter (or ghee). Once hot add the cardamom pods and fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the milk, ¾ cup water, sugar, food coloring (if using), and salt. Stir and allow the sugar to completely dissolve. Taste for sweetness, if you want it sweeter add more sugar. Next mix through the rice.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to bring it to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the liquid is almost all absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Turn off the heat, allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, covered. Remove lid and remove cardamom pods. Serve.
Notes
- This is called parboiling your rice. It will help the rice get a soft and fluffy texture in the final dish. Cook the rice until just tender. Be careful not to overcook your rice.
Luna says
I made this for a dinner party and my family loved it.