Wash and soak rice for 2 hours.
Drain in a colander.
Heat 2 cups of water and add Saffron,2 Cloves and 2 Cardamom.
Bring to a boil and add the drained rice.
Reduce to medium heat,cover and cook for 12 minutes(by the watch) till the rice is almost half cooked.Here it is important to open the lid after the first 6 minutes and stir gently.
Cover again and cook for a further of 6 more minutes.
Take off heat.
Preparing the Zarda :
Fry the nuts in 1 tbsp ghee till golden brown.Keep aside.
In a pan,add the remaining 2 tbsp ghee on medium heat on and coat the walls of the pan so that the grains of rice do not stick.
Add the remaining one Cardamom,and the 3 cloves.
Fry for 3 – 4 seconds and add the cooked rice.
Pour over the sugar on top and mix very gently ensuring the grains do not break.
Cover and cook for a minute and open the pan.Add the colour (if using) and mix again,very gently.Cover and cook rice till the water which was generated from the sugar evaporates and the rice is completely cooked.
Pour over the fried nuts and ghee on the rice,cover and cook for 1 minute and take off heat.Leave for 15 minutes covered after which you can serve it as a delicious dessert!Garnish with the Maraschino Cherries (if using).
Serve warm.
