Zarda

The bright yellow zarda is a sweet and fragrant Pakistani rice dish which consists of basmati rice cooked with milk and sugar. The rice is cooked alongside natural food colorings, which give the dish its unusual yellow color, and a blend of traditional spices, most commonly cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron. Often, it also includes raisins and chopped roasted nuts such as pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. Zarda is considered a rich and festive dish, usually served on special occasions, but it also makes a perfect everyday dessert, enjoyed warm, over a cup of refreshing tea. A similar dessert is also found in the Punjabi region, where it is often referred to as meethe chawal.