Pregnancy cravings, prayers and rice pudding

Pregnancy is rarely predictable, but when you are over 40, each moment carries more anxiety and hope. I discovered this firsthand after my six-week scan drama, when the prospect of a healthy pregnancy suddenly felt fragile. In the middle of this uncertainty, H’s family introduced me to the power of prayers, community, and the comforting sholeh zard, Persian saffron rice pudding.

A family rally for wellbeing

There I was, in the early weeks of pregnancy, when my in-laws launched what can only be described as a prayer marathon for my health. But in true Persian style, the family whipped up a colossal batch of sholeh zard not just for me, but for the entire neighbourhood, a gesture that spoke of care and community as much as saffron and sugar.

Tradition born from hope

In Persia, pledges of this kind are commonplace, a gentle reminder of life’s fragility and the support a community offers in times of anticipation. There is a beauty in turning prayers into shared rituals, and, if we’re honest, who would resist the chance to make saffron rice pudding?

Sholeh zard: the recipe

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons rosewater
• Pinch of brewed saffron
• Unsalted butter

Method:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly, and boil it until soft. Stir occasionally.
2. Add sugar, rosewater, and saffron, stirring gently as the flavours infuse.
3. Reduce the heat, melt in butter, and simmer for three minutes. Perfect time for a little Persian-inspired dance in the kitchen.
4. Serve in bowls and decorate with powdered cinnamon, slivered almonds, pistachios, and rose petals.

And there you have it: sholeh zard.