Sholeh Zard

The story

Sholeh Zard is a Iranian dessert with a clear sense of place. Sholeh zard is a Persian saffron rice pudding strongly associated with religious offerings, charitable cooking and family occasions as well as dessert service. The recipe below keeps the defining ingredients and technique intact while giving practical metric quantities and enough detail for a home cook to judge texture, seasoning and doneness rather than simply follow a timer.

Ingredients

• 180 g white rice
• 1400 ml water
• 280 g caster sugar
• 0.35 g saffron threadsbloomed
• 60 ml rosewater
• 70 g slivered almonds
• 0.25 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp ground cinnamonfor garnish
• 35 g pistachiosslivered for garnish

Method

1. Rinse rice lightly but do not obsessively

   Rinse rice lightly but do not obsessively remove every trace of starch. Simmer in water for 35–40 minutes until grains are extremely soft and begin to break down.

   Look for: grains are extremely soft and begin to break down Tip: Stop when the hot pudding still flows slowly; cooling provides the final set. Avoid: Adding sugar before rice softens can leave firm grains, too much rosewater tastes perfumed and cooking to final thickness in the pan makes it stodgy after chilling.

2. Add sugar only after the rice is

   Add sugar only after the rice is fully soft; sugar added too early can slow the hydration of the grains. Stir until dissolved.

   Look for: dissolved

3. Add bloomed saffron, rosewater, almonds and cardamom

   Add bloomed saffron, rosewater, almonds and cardamom and simmer gently another 12–15 minutes, stirring frequently as the pudding thickens.

4. The mixture should look looser in the

   The mixture should look looser in the pan than you want to serve because it firms substantially as it cools. Spoon into shallow bowls while hot.

5. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for

   Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

6. Decorate the set surface with cinnamon lines

   Decorate the set surface with cinnamon lines or motifs and pistachio slivers just before serving.

   Look for: Rice is completely tender and the chilled pudding holds a spoon mark without becoming rubbery.

Nutrition

per serving

Estimated from the listed ingredients and default serving size. Actual values vary with brands, trimming, absorption and cooking losses.