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Zerdeli Pilaf

A Kutahya wedding-style plate pairing chickpea rice pilaf with sweet saffron-colored zerde pudding.

Hard⏱️ 1 hr 40 min📖 1 min readServes 6~410 kcal🇹🇷 Turkish🌍 Full translation

15 min prep 35 min cook 50 min rest

#For Guests
Vegetarian

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Timeline

Total 1 h 40 min

Prep15 min
Resting/Marinating50 min
Cooking35 min

Ingredients

6 servings

Quick:

For the rice

2 su bardağı(~400 ml) Rice for pilaf
1.3 su bardağı(~260 ml) Boiled chickpeas
3 yemek kaşığı(~45 ml) Butter
3 su bardağı(~600 ml) Hot water
1 tatlı kaşığı(~10 ml) Salt
0.3 çay kaşığı(~1.5 ml) Black pepper

For the zerde

0.5 çay bardağı(~50 ml) Rice
0.8 su bardağı(~160 ml) Granulated sugar
4 su bardağı(~800 ml) Water
0.5 çay kaşığı(~2.5 ml) Turmeric
1 yemek kaşığı(~15 ml) Rose water

What else can I make with these ingredients?

Instructions

1
Soak the pilaf rice in hot salted water for 30 minutes, then wash and drain.
30 min
30:00
2
Melt the butter in a pot and toast the rice for 4 minutes, until translucent.
4 min
04:00
3
Add the chickpeas, hot water, salt, and black pepper, then cook the pilaf over low heat for 14 minutes.
14 min
14:00
4
Let the pilaf steam in the covered pot for 20 minutes.
20 min
20:00
5
For the zerde, cook the rice, water, and turmeric for 18 minutes, until tender.
18 min
18:00
6
Add the sugar and rose water to the zerde and cook for 6 more minutes, until glossy.
6 min
06:00
7
Serve the chickpea pilaf and zerde side by side on the same plate.

💡 Tip: Soak the pilaf rice for 30 minutes; when served beside zerde, separate grains keep the sweet part from overwhelming the pilaf.

🍽️ Serving suggestion: Serve zerdeli pilav on a porcelain plate with zerde and pilaf side by side, plus hosaf if desired like a wedding table.

Good sources

Approximate vitamin / mineral assessment based on the recipe's ingredients. For precise nutrition tracking, consult a doctor or dietitian.

Protein source
Iron

Nutrition (per serving)

~410

kcal calories

g protein

g carbs

g fat

Protein 9%Carbs 65%Fat 26%

Approximate values, derived from ingredient amounts using USDA FoodData Central and TÜBİTAK Turkish Food Composition Database. Actual values can vary by roughly ±20% depending on cooking method, brand, and portion size. For diet or medical conditions, consult a dietitian or doctor.

This recipe may contain allergens

Milk

Allergens are derived automatically from the ingredient list, covering the main groups of the EU-14 food allergen standard (gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, seafood, sesame, celery, mustard). Cross-contamination (shared kitchen equipment, shared surfaces) isn't tracked, if you have a serious allergy, review the full ingredient list yourself and ask about preparation.

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FAQ

How many servings does Zerdeli Pilaf make?
This recipe serves 6.
How long does Zerdeli Pilaf take?
Prep 15 minutes, cooking 35 minutes, including 50 minutes of passive resting; 100 minutes in total.
Is Zerdeli Pilaf difficult?
This recipe is rated hard.
How many calories does Zerdeli Pilaf have?
Approximately 410 kcal per serving. Protein: 9g, carbs: 68g, fat: 12g.
Which allergens does Zerdeli Pilaf contain?
This recipe contains Milk. Check it against your dietary needs.
How many ingredients does Zerdeli Pilaf need?
This recipe needs 11 ingredients.

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Instructions

Soak the pilaf rice in hot salted water for 30 minutes, then wash and drain.

30 min