Sholeh Zard Recipe: Heavenly Saffron Rice Pudding
Sholeh Zard Recipe
Sholeh Zard is a delightful Iranian dessert that offers a sweet and aromatic experience. Traditionally made with a few staple ingredients, this saffron rice pudding combines the gentle fragrance of saffron with the earthiness of almonds and the floral hints of rosewater. It’s a dish that invites you to savor the rich cultural heritage of Iran with every spoonful. Perfect for gatherings or a quiet night in, Sholeh Zard is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes with its vibrant yellow hue and the sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Sholeh Zard Recipe
Main Ingredients:
- Basmati Rice: 1 cup
- Water: 8 cups
- Sugar: 1.5 cups
- Butter: 50g
Flavor Enhancers:
- Slivered Almonds: ½ cup
- Rosewater (Golab): ½ cup
- Ground Saffron: ¼ tsp
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
First, take 1 cup of basmati rice and place it in a bowl filled with water to soak overnight. This step helps to soften the rice, which is crucial for the perfect texture of Sholeh Zard.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
The next day, drain the soaked rice and transfer it to a large pot. Add 8 cups of water to the pot. Turn on the stove and set it to medium heat, allowing the rice to cook for about one hour until it is completely soft.
Step 3: Infuse the Rose Water
While the rice is cooking, prepare the rose water and almonds. Pour ½ cup of rose water into a small bowl and add ½ cup of slivered almonds to it. Set this mixture aside to allow the almonds to soak up the floral essence of the rose water.
Step 4: Add Saffron
Once the rice has been cooking for about 45 minutes and is nearly done, sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of ground saffron over the rice. Stir gently to distribute the saffron evenly and let it infuse the rice with its vibrant color and rich flavor.
Step 5: Sweeten the Dish
After the saffron has steeped for about 15 minutes and the rice is fully cooked, add 1.5 cups of sugar to the pot. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved into the rice mixture.
Step 6: Combine Almonds and Rose Water
Next, pour the almond and rose water mixture into the cooking rice. This step will enhance the dessert with a delightful nutty and floral flavor.
Step 7: Add Butter
Add 50 grams of butter to the pot. Stir well to ensure that the butter is evenly distributed throughout the dessert and fully melted.
Step 8: Final Cooking Stage
Continue to cook the mixture for an additional 15 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. This allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Step 9: Let It Set
Once everything is well-combined and fully cooked, turn off the heat. Cover the pot with a lid and let the Sholeh Zard set for about 10 minutes. This rest period helps thicken the pudding as it cools slightly.
Step 10: Serve
Finally, spoon the warm Sholeh Zard into your desired serving dishes. For a traditional touch, garnish each serving with more slivered almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon powder for added aroma and flavor.
Recipe Summary
To prepare Sholeh Zard, Soak basmati rice overnight, then drain and cook in a pot with 8 cups of water on medium heat for one hour. While the rice cooks, soak slivered almonds in rose water. Add saffron to the cooked rice to color it, then stir in sugar until dissolved. Mix in the almond-rose water and butter, and cook for another 15 minutes. Let it sit covered for 10 minutes after turning off the heat. Serve the Sholeh Zard garnished with more slivered almonds and cinnamon powder.
- Thanks to :
- chef.hannane