Kuska Rice also called Kuska Biryani is South Indian style spiced flavorful plain biryani served as an accompaniment with a korma, curry or any gravy preparation. This easy Kuska recipe features basmati rice, onions, herbs, ghee and fragrant spices.
Rinse basmati rice very well in water till the water runs clear of starch.
Soak rice in enough water for 20 to 30 minutes. Later drain all the water and keep the rice aside.
Making kuska rice
Heat 2 tablespoons ghee in a pot or pan. Keep heat to a low.
Add the following spices and let them splutter - caraway seeds, cinnamon, cloves, green cardamoms, single strands of mace and tej patta.
Then add thinly sliced onions.
Sauté the onions on a low to medium heat stirring often, till they start turning light golden.
Then add ginger-garlic paste.
Stir and sauté on a low heat for a few seconds till the raw aroma of ginger and garlic goes away.
Add chopped tomatoes and sauté for a minute. You can even skip tomatoes if you prefer.
Then add the sliced or slit green chilies, chopped mint leaves and coriander leaves. Mix very well.
Now add 2 cups water. Instead of water you can also use vegetable stock. Depending on the quality and variety of rice, you can add 1.5 to 2.25 cups water.
Cooking kuska biryani
Cover the pan with its lid.
On a medium heat, bring the entire water mixture to a boil.
When the water starts boiling, remove the lid, and then add the rice.
Season with salt as per taste and mix very well. Check the taste of the water and it should taste a bit salty. If not, then add some more salt.
Add lemon juice. Again stir.
Place a cotton kitchen towel or cotton napkin on the pan. You can also seal the pan with an aluminium foil. Now place the lid on the pan.
Keep the heat to a low or sim and dum cook till the rice grains are tender and cooked. It will take about 7 to 8 minutes for the rice to cook.
Do use a thick bottomed pan, so that the rice grains do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
If you want you can check the rice grains once while cooking. If all the water has been absorbed and the rice grains do not look cooked, then add some hot water in the pan. Cover and continue to cook.
When the rice grains are soft and tender, turn off heat. Then allow resting time of 5 to 7 minutes. Later gently fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve Kuska Rice garnished with coriander or mint leaves paired with with a veg gravy or dal of your choice.
Notes
You can also use seeraga samba rice instead of basmati rice.
If you do not soak the rice, then add some more water while cooking.
For a vegan version, use any neutral flavored oil instead of ghee.
I do not add any ground spices like turmeric powder or red chilli powder as the color of the dish no longer remains white or off-white. But feel free to spice up the kuska rice a bit, by adding your choice of ground spices.
The recipe can be halved or doubled according to your needs.