SAEDNEWS: Cooking Brings Joy, Especially When Making ‘Sholeh Zard’ with Care and Sharing It as a Charitable Offering
Sholeh Zard is a delicious and sweet Iranian dessert that most of us have enjoyed as a traditional offering. One reason it is commonly prepared for charitable purposes is its simplicity—you can make a flavorful Sholeh Zard without any complicated techniques. Follow along as we guide you through a step-by-step recipe in this section of Namnak Kitchen.
To make a delicious homemade Sholeh Zard, gather the following ingredients:
Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
Soaked rice | 2 cups |
Sugar | 4 cups |
Vegetable butter | 50 g |
Saffron | 1 mesghal (≈4.6 g) |
Rosewater | 1 cup |
Oil | 1 tablespoon |
Sliced pistachios and almonds | As needed |
Important Notes Before Cooking:
The measurement of the cup used is crucial. Whatever cup size you choose, maintain the same ratio of water and sugar. For example, 1 cup of rice requires 2 cups of sugar and 6 cups of water. This proportion is standard for making Sholeh Zard.
Half-grain rice cooks faster, so soaking it for 2–3 hours is sufficient. Regular rice needs more soaking time.
Step 1: Cooking the Rice
Start by washing the rice the night before and soaking it in 3 cups of water for 12–24 hours. After soaking, place the rice in a suitable pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Do not stir the rice at this stage.
Once the rice softens and absorbs the water, reduce the heat and start stirring gently. Important: Do not add extra water, as this may make the Sholeh Zard watery after cooking.
Step 2: Adding Sugar
When the rice is fully softened, add the sugar. If the rice feels thick, don’t worry—it will loosen after adding the sugar. Stir for about 15 minutes to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Adding Saffron
Grind 1 mesghal of saffron and dissolve it in a little hot water to let it bloom. Add the saffron to the rice and stir until the dessert takes on a vibrant yellow-orange color.
Step 4: Adding Almonds and Rosewater
Soak sliced almonds in rosewater to allow the flavor to infuse. Add both the almonds and rosewater to the Sholeh Zard and cook for another 10 minutes.
Step 5: Adding Butter and Oil
Add room-temperature butter to the Sholeh Zard and stir well. Then add a small amount of oil to give the dessert a glossy finish. Let it cook for 5–10 more minutes, then remove from heat and cover to let it steam.
Step 6: Serving
Once fully cooked, serve Sholeh Zard in a suitable dish and garnish with cinnamon, sliced pistachios, and almonds as desired.
Cooking time is approximately 3 hours.
Sholeh Zard can be served as a snack, dessert, or during Ramadan as an iftar treat.
The recipe serves about 8 people.
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