Sweet Orange Rice (Zarda)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon food color
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon rosewater essence
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup cashews nuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Bring 4 cups water to boil in a saucepan.
2. Add food color.
3. Add rice to boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes or until rice is cooked.
4. Drain rice in a colander.
5. Heat butter in a saucepan.
6. Add water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and cardamom and cook for 3 minutes.
7. Add cooked rice and rose water essence. Mix together and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Sprinkle with cottage cheese and nuts.
9. Serve hot or cold as a dessert.