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    Home » Indian Sweets

    Meethe Chawal (Zarda Rice)

    Published: Sep 6, 2018 · Last Modified: Aug 21, 2022 by Kanan Patel / Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    This is classic sweet dish made from rice and sugar. This dish has different names at different places. In North India, it is called meethe chawal. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is known as Zarda rice or Zarda Pulao. Because it is made from rice and sugar, it is also known as sweet rice.

    Meethe chawal served in a plate and garnished with chopped nuts.

    What is Zarda Rice?

    The persian word ‘zard’ and it literally means yellow. As the dish name says, the rice grains are yellow in color.

    This color comes from addition of saffron. TIP: to get the maximum color from saffron, dry roast the strands for few seconds (you can do in microwave for 5-8 seconds). Then crush the stands between your thumb and finger. Add this to the rice.

    Usually to get yellow color, food color is added. But we are taking the natural route to get meethe chawal a yellow tinge and adding saffron which adds color and flavor. So it’s double bonus, right?

    At many places, they divide the rice into portions and color with different colors e.g. red, green, yellow. This multi colored rice looks beautiful.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe Rundown:

    • Taste & Texture: sweet, rich and very aromatic
    • Pros: can be made in big batch easily for large group of people, kids friendly
    • Cons: you can't stop eating

    Step By Step Photo Instructions:

    1) Wash the rice under running cold water till water runs clear. Or rinse them 2-3 times till water is not cloudy anymore. Then soak in enough water for 15-20 minutes.

    2) After than drain the soaking water.

    soak and drain rice

    3) Heat the ghee in a saucepan on medium heat. Once hot, add cloves and black cardamom. Saute for a minute or till you get nice aroma of the spices.

    4) Add soaked rice and saute for 1 minute.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    5) Then add saffron.

    6) Add water and bring it to a boil.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    7) Next cover the pan with lid, lower the heat to lowest possible and cook for 7 minutes.

    8) By this time all the water is absorbed and rice is almost 50% cooked.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    9) Now add sugar.

    10) Mix, let it melt.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    11) Now again cover it

    12) and cook on low heat for 15 minutes.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    13) Then add rose water.

    14) Also add cardamom powder.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    15) Add chopped nuts. Save some for garnishing.

    16) Mix everything and fluff up the rice.

    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice

    Variations:

    • Along with chopped nuts, you can add raisin, candied fruits.
    • Fry some dry coconut slices in the ghee and use that as a garnishing.
    • To make it more rich add ¼ cup crumbled khoya along with sugar.
    • You can garnish with pomegranate arils
    Zarda rice garnished with nuts.

    Did you try this meethe chawal recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.

    Step by Step Photos AboveWant to make it perfect first time? Don't forget to check out Step-by-Step photo instructions and helpful Tips & Tricks !!
    Meethe Chawal Recipe (Zarda Rice or Pulao) Yellow Sweet Rice
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    Meethe Chawal (Zarda Rice)

    5 from 1 vote
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and/or give ★ ratings
    Simple, Easy method of making meethe chawal. In other regions this sweet rice is called zarda pulao or zarda rice.
    Author: Kanan
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian,North Indian
    Calories: 355kcal
    Servings 4
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes
    US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml) See details

    Ingredients  

    • ¾ cup Basmati Rice
    • 2 tablespoons Ghee (Clarified butter)
    • 2 Cloves
    • 1 Black cardamom
    • ¼ teaspoon Saffron
    • 1 ½ cups Water
    • ⅔ cups Sugar
    • ½ teaspoon Green cardamom seeds powder
    • 1 teaspoon Rose water
    • 2 tablespoons Almonds chopped
    • 2 tablespoons Cashew nuts chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Pistachios chopped

    Instructions 

    • Wash and soak the rice for 15-20 minutes. Then discard the soaking water.
    • Heat the ghee on medium heat and add whole spices (cloves, black cardamom), saute for a minute.
    • Add rice and saffron, mix and saute for 1 minute.
    • Add water and as it starts boiling, cover the pan, lower the heat to lowest possible and cook for 7 minutes or till rice is 50% done.
    • Then mix in sugar, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
    • Lastly add rose water, cardamom powder and chopped nuts.
    • Fluff up the rice and mix.
    • Remove it to a serving plate and garnish with more chopped nuts.

    Notes

    variations:
    • Along with chopped nuts, you can add raisin, candied fruits.
    • Fry some dry coconut slices in the ghee and use that as a garnishing.
    • To make it more rich add ¼ cup crumbled khoya along with sugar.
    • You can garnish with pomegranate arils

    Nutrition

    Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 63.4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10.5g | Saturated Fat: 4.6g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33.8g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    *Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 serving
    Did you make this recipe?Snap a pic, mention @spice.up.the.curry or tag #spiceupthecurry. I would love to see.

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    Kanan

    Hi, I'm Kanan Patel. I share easy, delicious vegetarian recipes (mostly Indian) and Eggless baking recipes that you can sure count on!

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