Sweet Rice (Zarda)

Ingredients

• 4 cups uncooked white rice
• 1/4 teaspoon orange food color
• 10 pods whole cardamom
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups white sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon raisins
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon chopped almonds
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

Directions

Place the rice in a bowl with water to cover and soak one hour.

Bring a large pot of water to boil with food color and half the cardamom pods. Stir in the rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer until tender, 20 minutes.

In a large skillet over low heat, cook remaining cardamom pods in oil 2 minutes. Stir in cooked, drained rice, and sugar. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cream, raisins, walnuts, almonds and orange zest. Serve warm.