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    Home » Instant Pot Recipes » Zarda Pulao | Instant Pot Zarda Pulav

    Zarda Pulao | Instant Pot Zarda Pulav

    Posted on April 30, 2019 · Last Updated on April 11, 2022 · By Srividhya G · 20 Comments

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    Zarda pulao or meetha chawal is a simple saffron-flavored sweet rice made with sugar and nuts. Make this sweet pulav any time in your Instant Pot and enjoy any occasion.

    meetha chawal in a tray as a prashadI had a lot of options for the alphabet Z like zafrani pulav, zucchini pulav, etc. But I went with zarda pulav because I wanted to end this marathon with a sweet recipe. I started participating in these month-long April marathons from 2015. And I still can’t believe that this is my fifth year and I completed it, successfully. Phew! I hope you all enjoyed my posts. Thanks for all your love and support.

    April always throws some surprise challenges, and it was the case this year too. I managed it somehow and completed this A-Z Biryani-Pulao series. As always, I learned a lot of recipes from my fellow bloggers and my bookmarks had increased exponentially. Hope I can try those delicious recipes soon. Anyways, now let’s get back to the Zarda pulao recipe.

    Zarda

    Zarda is a dessert pulao that is typically served after a meal. Zard in Persian means yellow and zarda rice means yellow colored rice. But I learned that orange some versions use orange food color and for some different food colors are added to make the rice colorful. The traditional version has khoya/milk solids, nuts, raisins, and saffron. But I kept mine simple and sweet.zarda pulao close look

    Also, I did not add any food color instead added a pinch of turmeric powder. I know its odd, but I did not want to add any artificial food color as I usually make this as Prashad/offering for God. When I go to the temple or on Thursdays, I try to make, and this Zarda pulao is one among them. I made this for taking it to the temple.

    As you can see in the pictures, I have pulao in the aluminum tray. I just took a small amount in the bowl for photos and kept it for us, and that tray went to the temple here.

    Cooking Zarda Pulao in Instant Pot:

    Usually, for other pulaos and biryanis, I soak the rice only for 20 minutes. But for this recipe, you can soak from 30 minutes to 40 minutes. I soaked for 30 minutes. Also, the cooking time is slightly high. I cooked the rice on high-pressure mode for 7 minutes and also released the pressure naturally. As we are adding sugar, we need more cooking time. If you are using sela basmati rice for this pulao, cook for 9 minutes.

    PS – Don’t miss to check out how to make vegetable pulao in an Instant Pot. 

    Now let me share how I made this Zarda pulao in the Instant Pot.how to cook zarda pulao in Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp ghee, unmelted
    • Ten almonds
    • Ten cashews
    • Two cardamom
    • Two cloves
    • Ten dried raisins
    • ⅛ tsp turmeric
    • Ten saffron strands soaked in ¼ cup luke-warm water for 30 minutes
    • 1 cup of water
    • 1 cup basmati rice, washed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 2 tbsps of milk or water

    Prep-Work:

    • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes.
    • Soak the saffron strands in luke-warm water for 30 minutes.

    How to make zarda pulao in Instant Pot

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode. When the display shows “HOT,” add the ghee and allow it to melt. Now add the almonds, cashews, raisins, cardamom, and cloves — Fry for 40 to 45 seconds.

    zarda pulao frying nuts

    • Add the plain water, and the saffron water and Turmeric powder. Mix it.

    zarda pulao adding saffron and turmeric

    • Next add the sugar, rice and milk/water.

    zarda pulao adding sugar and rice

    • Gently mix and let it simmer for just one minute.

    zarda pulao before cooking

    • Press the cancel button and close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is in the sealing position. Now pressure cook for 7 minutes in high pressure and release the pressure naturally.
    • Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure and allow the pulao to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

    zarda pulao affter cooking

    • Gently mix. Garnish it with crushed nuts and serve warm.

    instant pot zarda pulao

    Recipe Notes-

    • Make sure you are using a different sealing ring for the Instant Pot. I have two sealing rings, one for desserts and one for curries and biryanis. You don’t want your Zarda to smell like biryani.
    • Add nuts of your choice. You can add crumbled khoya and pomegranate arils after cooking the rice as a garnish.
    • Adjust the sugar according to your preference.
    Zarda pulao recipe
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    5 from 1 vote

    Zarda Pulao | Instant Pot Zarda Pulav

    Zarda pulao or meetha chawal is a simple saffron-flavored sweet rice made with sugar and nuts. Check out the Instant Pot version of the Zarda pulao here.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Soaking Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 284kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp ghee unmelted
    • 10 almonds
    • 10 cashews
    • 2 cardamom
    • 2 cloves
    • 10 raisins
    • ⅛ tsp turmeric
    • 10 saffron strands soaked in ¼ cup luke-warm water for 30 minutes
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup basmati rice washed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 2 tbsps milk or water

    Instructions

    Prep-Work:

    • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes.
    • Soak the saffron strands in luke-warm water for 30 minutes.

    Steps:

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and when the display shows "HOT," add the ghee and let it melt.
    • Now add the almonds, cashews, raisins, cardamom, and cloves — Fry for 40 to 45 seconds.
    • Add the plain water, and the saffron water and Turmeric powder. Mix it.
    • Next add the sugar, rice and milk/water.
    • Gently mix and let it simmer for just one minute.
    • Press the cancel button and close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is in the sealing position. Now pressure cook for 7 minutes in high pressure and release the pressure naturally.
    • Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure and allow the pulao to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Gently mix. Garnish it with crushed nuts and serve warm.

    Notes

    • Make sure you are using a different sealing ring for the Instant Pot. I have two sealing rings, one for desserts and one for curries and biryanis. You don't want your Zarda to smell like biryani.
    • Add nuts of your choice. You can add crumbled khoya and pomegranate arils after cooking the rice as a garnish.
    • Adjust the sugar according to your preference.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.6mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    BMLogo

    Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#99

     

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    Filed Under: Instant Pot Recipes, Pulao, Sweets, Variety Rice Tagged With: Blogging Marathon, instant pot zarda pulao, sai baba prasadam, sweet pulao, zarda pulav

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. preeti garg says

      June 03, 2019 at 4:37 am

      Zarda pulao is biggest hit recipe because of taste, richness and color. love it. congrts for your new book.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 03, 2019 at 11:01 am

        Thanks much, Preeti.

        Reply
    2. preeti garg says

      June 03, 2019 at 4:36 am

      Zarda pulao is biggest hit recipe because of taste, richness and color. love it.

      Reply
    3. Swati says

      May 28, 2019 at 9:08 pm

      A royal way to end the Marathon!! I too made Zarda for the final day but a different version. Will try it in Instant Pot..

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 29, 2019 at 3:42 pm

        Yeah, I saw yours too. Perfect sweet recipe in Z to end the marathon.

        Reply
    4. Renu says

      May 21, 2019 at 8:51 am

      Awesome pick for the final day. Rice looks quite rich with all that nuts in it.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 21, 2019 at 9:16 am

        Thanks Renu

        Reply
    5. Gayathri Kumar says

      May 09, 2019 at 4:28 am

      I was expecting zarda today and totally delighted. The pulao looks absolutely yum and made in IP, it is so quick too. Nice finish to the BM.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 09, 2019 at 1:57 pm

        Thanks :-)

        Reply
    6. Srivalli Jetti says

      May 03, 2019 at 11:36 pm

      This is an awesome way to end the series. Fifth year? wow didn’t realize the years breezing us by so fast! Zarda pulao tastes so good and yummy!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 06, 2019 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks, Valli. :-)

        Reply
    7. Sushma Pinjala says

      May 02, 2019 at 11:37 am

      Wonderful dish to end the marathon SriVidhya. Zarda pulao looks too good.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 03, 2019 at 8:24 pm

        Thanks a ton.

        Reply
    8. harini says

      May 02, 2019 at 7:22 am

      What a lovely dish to make in the Instant Pot for the finale. Loved all your dishes, Srividhya.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 03, 2019 at 8:24 pm

        Thanks :-)

        Reply
    9. Vaishali Sabnani says

      May 01, 2019 at 5:16 am

      Zarda is perfect finale to a Mega marathon , the rice looks exotic and rich . I somehow relish these sweet version of rice , with nuts and saffron .
      It has been a great marathon and I have really enjoyed all your recipes , some of them are absolutely stunning !
      Lot of bookmarks as usual .

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 01, 2019 at 9:02 pm

        I have a huge bookmark list now Vaishali. :-) Thanks much.

        Reply
    10. Suma Gandlur says

      April 30, 2019 at 6:08 pm

      What an elegant dish to enjoy the series! In spite of it’s simplicity, zarda pulao tastes amazing. Loved all your biryani / pulao recipes this month.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 01, 2019 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks a lot Suma.

        Reply

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