Halwa-e Zard

Prep time: 2 hrs (soaking) Cook time: 40 mins Total time: 2 hrs 40 mins Servings: 6 servings Country of origin: Afghanistan Description: Halwa-e Zard is a vibrant yellow saffron rice pudding cooked soft with butter, sugar, and rosewater. Presentation: Spooned into shallow dishes, decorated with ground cinnamon patterns and slivered pistachios. Ingredients: 1 cup short-grain white rice 6 cups water 1.5 cups granulated sugar 1/4 cup rosewater 1/2 tsp saffron threads, dissolved in 2 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 2 tbsp pistachios for garnish Step-by-step directions: Soak rice in water for 2 hours, drain, then boil in 6 cups water until grains turn mushy. Stir sugar, butter, and dissolved saffron water into cooked rice. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to mash rice grains further. Stir in rosewater during final 5 minutes of cooking. Pour pudding into shallow serving dishes, cool to room temperature, and decorate top with cinnamon lines and pistachios. Optional variations: Add toasted pine nuts during simmering step for texture contrast. Cooking tips: Mash rice with back of a spoon while stirring to achieve a uniform pudding texture. Nutrition facts:

• Calories: 260 kcal

• Fat: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 48g

• Protein: 3g