Tricolor Meeta Chawal (Sweet Rice)

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice- 3/4 cup (I used normal short grain)
• Sugar- about 4-5 tbsp (Depending on taste)
• Clarified butter/Ghee- 1 tbsp (or less)
• Cinnamon- 1/2 inch piece
• Cloves- 2
• Water-  <1/2 cup
• Cookie cutters (Can use plating molds. I don't have any, hence I used cookie cutters)

For coloring:

• Orange- Glucon D orange flavor- 1 tbsp (max.)
• Green- Crushed and powdered Pistachios- 1 tbsp powder 

• I got pale shades as I did not use any additional food color. For darker shades, add one drop of food color each. 
• Along with crushed pistachios, add 1/2 tbsp of kiwi crush (optional) for better color. 

Method:

1. As I used cooked rice, I spread the rice on a plate to remove excess moisture. 
2. A trick that worked for me was to wash the cooked rice with a small glass of cold water. The grains separated and stayed good. 
3. Take a nonstick pan. Add 1 tbsp ghee. Add the cinnamon and cloves. 
4. Then add sugar and water. Add water immediately because we do not want to caramelize the sugar. for this recipe. 
5. Let the sugar melt and come to a boil. 
6. Add the cooked rice and mix well. 
7. Cover with lid and keep the heat in low. 
8. It will take around 5 mins for the sugar syrup to be soaked by the rice.
9. Gently mix once in a while without breaking the grains.
10. As the mix turns glossy and there is no liquid left, turn off the heat. 
11. Let it cool for a minute.
12. Separate the rice into three parts. 
13. To one part add the Glucon D orange flavor powder and mix. 
14. To the second part add powdered pistachios and mix. 
15. Here add 1/2 tbsp or less of kiwi crush for extra flavor and color. 
16. I did not add because I felt both orange and kiwi flavors in a single dish would be overpowering. 
17. Or add one drop (not more) of food colors to get the desired shades.
18. Keep the third white part of the rice as it is. 
19. Grease the cookie cutters (I forgot to do that and they edges got disturbed)
20. Take a plate and place the greased cookie cutter. 
21. Add some green colored rice and press gently.
22. Then add plain colored rice and press gently.
23. Finally, add orange colored rice and press gently.  
24. Let it sit for a minute. 
25. Using a spoon or your fingers press lightly on the rice and gently remove the cookie cutter. The mold will come clean leaving the arranged rice in tricolor. 
26. Be patient and careful. 
27. Or use the circular mold and plate in a similar way. 
28. Serve and enjoy.