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السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Zarda recipe or the Mutanjan recipe is a very traditional Pakistani sweet rice dish made with cooking rice and adding “yellow” food coloring to it.

The name Zarda comes from Persian and Urdu word “zard” which means “yellow”. However you can add saffron or zaffron to it or any other coloring of ur choice.

A typical Eid or a wedding dessert, which is very common in Pakistani, you can still find it served at weddings as I was told by my Pakistani neighbors. Zarda is usually made using the saffron or yellow food coloring and garnished with cashew, almond and raisins whereas the mutanjan is made using various colors and served with various toppings including jelly, nuts, dry fruits, small gulab jamuns or rasgullas.

I have seen different toppings served at different places in Pakistani restaurant. So it’s totally up to you how you would like to relish the Zarda recipe or Mutanjan recipe in Pakistani Style

Let’s get started with the Zarda recipe or the mutanjan recipe, Pakistani

Ingredients for zarda recipe or the mutanjan recipe, Pakistani Style

2 cup basmati rice, soaked for atleast 1 hour
4 cardamom
2 cloves
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup pistachio, finely sliced
1/4 cup almond, finely sliced
1/2 cup khoya
4 tbsp ghee/clarified butter
2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp red food coloring or saffron/zaffron

Method for making zarda recipe or the mutanjan recipe, Pakistani

Boil rice in water with the food coloring or saffron. Drain when the rice is 70% cooked.
Spread it on a big tray and allow it cool.
Cook sugar with 1/2 cup of water, cardamom and cloves in a pan. After the sugar is dissolved, mix in the ghee and cook for further 5 minutes.
Add the rice and cook it until the water dries up.
Add khoya and cover the pan and cook on low flame for further 10 minutes.
Mix gently and serve garnished with raisins, pistachio and almond.

Until next time,

Love,

Fareeha