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Kuska Recipe (Plain Biryani)

Kuska is a popular Indian rice dish also known as plain biryani. It is made using basmati rice along with most of the biryani essentials, spices and herbs. Kuska is made without vegetables or meat and served with kurma or raita to make a hearty meal which is popular in South India. Recipe included with step by step pictures and video.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Soaking time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings2
AuthorSharmilee J

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 ¾ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 big sized onion sliced
  • 1 big tomato
  • ¼ cup mint leaves
  • ¼ cup coriander leaves
  • ¼ cup curd
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • salt to taste

To temper

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 small star anise
  • 1 bayleaf
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 cardamom
  • one 1 inch cinnamon
  • ½ mace

Spice powders

Instructions

  • Rinse 1 cup basmati rice well and soak it in water for 30 minutes. Set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon ghee then add whole spices which includes 1 small star anise, 1 bayleaf, 2 cloves, 1 cardamom, one 1 inch cinnamon and ½ mace.
  • Add 1 big sized onion sliced along with salt and 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste.
  • Saute until it becomes golden.
  • Add 1 big tomato along with ¼ cup mint leaves and ¼ cup coriander leaves.
  • Saute until tomatoes become mushy. Then add salt to taste, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder and 1 teaspoon garam masala powder.
  • Give a quick saute. Then add ¼ cup curd.
  • Give a quick saute.
  • Drain and add rice along with 1 and ¾ cups water.
  • Mix well then add 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
  • Close with lid, weight. Pressure cook in medium flame for 2 whistles.
  • Let pressure release completely then fluff gently.
  • It may look moist when you open after few minutes become grain separated.
  • Kuska is ready!

Video

Notes

  • Rice, Water Ratio - For 1 cup basmati rice I used 1 and ¾ cups water. You can even use 1 and ½ cups water which will work great too.
  • Spices - While doubling or tripling the ingredients make sure to take care for whole spices and add accordingly else it will be too overpowering.
  • Spice powders - I usually use turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder. You can replace garam masala powder with biryani masala powder too.
  • Cooking in pot - If using pot then add 2 cups water and cook for 12-15 mins in low flame. Switch off and set aside for 10 minutes then open and fluff gently.
  • Variation - You can replace curd with coconut milk too.
Nutrition Facts
Kuska Recipe (Plain Biryani)
Amount Per Serving (125 g)
Calories 511 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 23mg8%
Sodium 92mg4%
Potassium 260mg7%
Carbohydrates 79g26%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 712IU14%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 105mg11%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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