Zarda

So guys i have loved cooking and trying new stuff since my teens. But making zarda was something i always feared as i messed it up when i made it for the first time (it became hard or chawal chadh gaye in simple language) . Didn’t make it by myself for years even after marriage . Till i came to know of this method of adding sugar. Now Alhamdulillah not scared to make zarda .
In a vessel boil 1 cup of soaked basmati rice with little yellow or orange food colour till rice is completely cooked (you dont have to leave it slightly undercooked like we do for biryani . N this is the trick for perfect zarda)
Strain the rice and keep aside.
Now in a vessel put half cup of ghee , 2 elaichi , 2 laung , 1 stick taj (dal chini) and let crackle slightly and add the boiled rice . Now add 1 cup of sugar and mix slightly .(for zarda the proportion of rice to sugar will always remain the same , u can use either half or full quantity of ghee according to ur wish) add half tetra pack of pinapple juice (you can use any brand real or tropicana is good , i sometimes put pinapple rani drink also )
Keep the heat to medium high for 2 min and then give a slight stir and cover and put on low heat for 5-7 mins till all the sugar has been absorbed and the rice is well done. Switch off heat and spread 1/4th cup of chopped pineapple (if using fresh pineapple slightly cook it with little water till soft. Use directly if using tinned pineapple , you can skip if u wish) add 100 gm of crumbled khoya and sliced nuts on the zarda. Let rest for t min and give a slight stir . Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra nuts😋

Ps. Pinapple juice , khoya , and pineapple are all optional you can add if u wish.