Meethe chawal or Zarda pulao is a sweet rice preparation. My mom has been making this recipe, year after year on the Diwali day. Laden with ghee and dry fruits and full of flavors from saffron and rose water, this is one of my favorites dishes. Here is the easy and simple recipe to make this delicious pulao. Do give it a try.



All you need is

Rice - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Saffron - 2 pinch
Yellow food color - 1 pinch
Cardamom - 4-5 ( crushed )
Black cardamom - 2 ( crushed )
Cloves - 8-10
Milk - 1 cup
Rose water - 1\2 tsp
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Chironji - 2 tbsp
Almonds - 10-12 ( chopped )
Cashew nuts - 10-12 ( chopped )
Raisins - 2 tbsp


Method of preparation

Gently wash the rice and soak in water for 1 hour.
Strain.
Mix milk, yellow food color, saffron, rose water and sugar in a bowl
Heat 4-5 cups water in a pan.
When it comes to a boil, add the soaked rice.
Cook till the rice is 80 % done.
Strain in a sieve and mix a tsp of ghee in the rice.
Keep aside.
Heat the remaining ghee in a pan.
Add almonds, cashew nuts, chironji and raisins and fry till golden brown.
Add cardamom, black cardamom and cloves.
Fry for 20 seconds.
Add the milk mixture.
Bring it to a boil.
Simmer the heat and add the rice.
Cover and cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve hot.