Kuska Biryani Recipe | Tamil Nadu Style Kuska Biryani Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

"Biryani" is the most popular one pot dish in India. There are thousands of varieties of Biryani and there are so many restaurants across India that serve only Biryani. Every family has it's own recipe to make biryani . 

The entire process of cooking biryani and the delicious aroma that fills the home are so much delectable. If you have travelled to South India and visited biriyani restaurants like the 'Ponnusamy', you would have noticed a biryani called 'Kuska'. 

Kuska Biryani is cooked using chicken stock or vegetable stock. During one of our casual chats , my friend Kritika , a very passionate Chef , asked  if I have ever tasted Kuska Biryani  ? Though I had seen it in restaurant menus, never once ordered and tried the flavour. When I shared this with her, she told me that she makes it often at her home and has an amazing family recipe of the same. 

Kritika shared her super hit Kuska recipe with an equally amazing Salna recipe to be served along with it. My home smelled so heavenly and we all relished every bit of this flavourful biryani.

This recipe is a keeper. Try it, you will simply fall in love with the simplicity and the amazing flavours. 

Recipe Courtesy: Mrs. Kritika Malkumar 

Kuska Biryani Recipe :

Preparation time : 30 minutes
Cooking time : 20-25 minutes
Serves : 4- 5 
1 cup = 250 ml cup 

Ingredients :

2 cups Basmati rice 
3 cups vegetable stock or water ( You can substitute 1.5 cups coconut milk instead of water)
3 large onions ( sliced lengthwise thinly)
3 tomatoes ( finely chopped)
1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilli powder ( I used Kashmiri Chilli powder)
1 teaspoon biriyani masala powder 
1/2 cup curd/yoghurt
salt to taste 

For tempering :

1 tablespoon ghee/clarified butter
1-2 teaspoons oil ( of your choice)
1-2 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 
1/2 " cinnamon stick
2 green cardamom pods
2-3 cloves
2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste ( crush  1/2" fresh ginger along with 3-4 garlic pods to a paste) 


Method : 

1. Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 minutes.
2. Place pressure cooker or a thick bottom vessel over low heat and add ghee + oil.
3. Now add all the whole spices and allow them to turn fragrant.
4. Add the onions and fry till they turn golden brown.

5. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell disappears. 
6. Now add the tomatoes and fry for 2-3 minutes.

7. Add the turmeric powder, chilli powder, biryani masala powder and fry for another 5 minutes over low flame. 

Chef tip : They should all come together and the oil well separated on the sides of the pan 
8. Add curd and let it cook for another minute.

9. Add the soaked basmati rice with water.
Chef tip: Instead of adding vegetable stock or plain water, you can add 1:1 stock: coconut water for increased flavour

10. Add salt and mix well.
11. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook on medium flame till the steam starts to release in full force.

12. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes and switch off. 
13. Open to check after 30 minutes. 
14. Alternatively, you can pressure cook upto one whistle or you can cook in an electric rice cooker.

Delicious Kuska biryani is now ready to be served. I served it with Salna and onion raita.

I know many of you make Vegetable Biryani often. Now you can try this recipe next time when you plan to make a Biryani. 

Happy Cooking !

With love,

Masterchefmom