Zarda

Main Ingredients :
Fruitcake mix (ashrafiya)- 4 tbsp
Butter- ⅔ of stick
Green cardamom- 6 to 8,few opened pods
Almonds- 3 tbsp, peeled, sliced
Cashews- 2 tbsp
Desi Ghee- 1 tbsp
Pistachios- 2tbsp
Raisins- 2 tbsp
Yellow food color powder- ½ tsp
Coconut slices- 2 tbsp
Sugar- ⅔ cup
Olive oil-1 tbsp
Milk- ½ cup
Uncooked Basmati Rice- 1 cup

Garnish :
Coconut flakes-2 tbsp
Cashews- 1 tbsp
Almonds- 1 tbsp
Pistachios- 1 tbsp
Raisins- 1 tbsp
Sweetened pineapple-10 to 20 pieces
Sweetened Cherries-10 to 12 pieces
1 Chum chum

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.Wash and soak rice in water for 25-30 minutes. Then strain rice.
2.Meanwhile, boil 5 to 6 cups of water in a pot. Add ½ tsp of yellow food color. Then add the rice.
3.Cook in medium flame uncovered until rice is about 60-70% cooked. Then strain rice and set the rice aside.
4.Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add coconut slices, nuts and raisins. Cook in low flame for 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
5.In a pan, add green cardamom and butter. Melt the butter in medium flame. Then, add ½ cup of milk.
6.Boil the milk in medium flame. Then, add sugar. After the sugar dissolves, add rice. Cook for a few minutes on medium flame and stir a few times.
7.Then cover and let it simmer on low flame for 25 to 30 minutes.
8.Turn off flame. Then add all the roasted nuts, coconut slices and raisins. Add 1 tbsp of desi ghee. Mix well. It’s ready.
9.Then garnish! Enjoy!