Sholeh Zard- Saffron Rice Pudding

This Persian dessert is absolutely delicious! Although it takes awhile to cook, it is fairly low-maintenance. Adapted from Najmieh Batmanglij's "Persian Cooking for a Healthy Kitchen".

• Ready In: 1 hr 1 min
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  cup white rice
• 8 -10  cups warm water
• 3 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  corn oil or 1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 cup  slivered almonds
• 1  teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1⁄2 cup rose water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon saffron

• Garnish

• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 2  teaspoons  slivered pistachios

Directions

1. Wash and rinse the rice several times.
2. In a large pot, bring the rice and 8 cups of water to a boil. Skim off the foam as it rises. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes until the rice is soft.
3. Add 2 more cups water, as well as the sugar. Simmer for 25 minutes longer, stirring occasionally (be careful to not over-stir).
4. Grind the saffron and dissolve in a couple tablespoons of hot water.
5. Add the saffron water, corn oil, almonds, cardamom and rose water. Mix well, cover and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. Remove the cover and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes longer, or until the rice has thickened to a pudding. Remove from heat.
6. Immediately spoon the Sholeh Zard into a large bowl or individual serving dishes.
7. Garnish with cinnamon, slivered almonds or slivered pistachios, if desired.
8. Chill and serve cold.