Kuska biryani is a plain biryani prepared without any vegetables or meat, which is usually served along with some korma, boiled egg and raita. It is a very popular recipe in Southern part of Tamilnadu.

Ingredients:

Serves 2 to 4

• 1 cup – Basmati rice
• 1 no – Onion (sliced lengthwise)
• 1 small – Tomato (chopped)
• 3 or 4 no’s – Green chillies (add as needed)
• 1 cup – Coconut milk
• 2 tbsp – Coriander leaves
• 2 tbsp – Mint leaves
• Salt to taste

For grinding:

• 5 to 6 no’s – Sambar onion / small onion or 1/2 big onion
• 2 clove – Garlic
• 1/4 inch – Ginger
• 1 no – Green chillies

Seasonings:

• 2 tbsp – Oil and butter (each 1 tbsp)
• 1 small – Cinnamon stick / pattai
• 2 no’s – Clove
• 1 big – Bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp - Fennel seeds / sombu
• 1 no – Cardamom / elachi
• 1 no – Star anise

Preparation method:

1. Wash and soak rice for 30 mins and set aside.
2. Blend together items given in the list for grinding to a fine paste, set it aside.
3. Heat oil and ghee in a pressure cooker, season it with items given in the list for seasoning. Add chopped onion, green chillies along with little salt, saute until they are slightly brown.
4. Add ground onion paste and saute until raw smell goes. Add tomato and soaked rice, give a good mix.
5. Pour in 1 cup of fresh coconut milk along with 1 cup water (totally 2 cups), coriander leaves, mint leaves, and required salt, bring it to boil. Cover with lid and cook them for about 1 to 2 whistle or until well cooked. Serve it with any korma and raita.

Notes:

• Increase or decrease number of green chillies as per your spice level.
• Since I did not have sambar onion / small onion, I have used 1/2 big onion.
• You may replace seeraga samba rice instead of basmati rice.