Quick and Easy Basant Panchami 2025: Step-By-Step Guide To Making Traditional Zarda Rice

Learn how to make traditional Zarda rice on Basant Panchami. This sweet, aromatic dish is made with basmati rice, saffron, sugar, dry fruits, and cardamom, offering a flavourful festive treat.

Basant Panchami 2025
45 Mins Total time
30 Mins Cook Time
15 Mins Prep Time
6 People Serves
Easy Difficulty
Veg Diet

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Basmati Rice
  • 4 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoon Ghee
  • 1 Pinch Saffron (soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk)
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder
  • 4 Tablespoon Mixed Dry Fruits (cashews, almonds, raisins)
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Rose Water
  • 2 Cup Water
  • 4 Tablespoon Milk

Main Procedure

Step 1

Wash the basmati rice properly and soak it in water for about 20 minutes. Drain all the water before cooking it.

Step 2

Take a pot, add in water and milk in it and bring to boil. Add soaked rice and cook it. The rice should remain separate and fluffy. Drain excess water and set aside.

Step 3

Take another pan and heat 1-2 tablespoons of ghee in it. Add in cooked rice and pour the sugar syrup over it. Once it comes to a light boil, add in soaked saffron, cardamom powder, and a few drops of rose water.

Step 4

Heat ghee in pan and add mixed dry fruits in it. Fry them till they turn golden brown. Once done, remove them from heat and set them aside.

Step 5

Take a large pan and heat a tablespoon of oil in it. Add in cooked rice and pour sugar syrup over it. Add rice and mix properly ensuring that the rice gets coated with the syrup. Add saffron infused milk and mix again. Cook on low heat allowing the flavours to infuse.

Step 6

Once the rice is cooked, add the fried dry fruits. Serve the warm Zarda rice as a sweet dish or offering to Goddess Saraswati.

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