Showing posts with label Biryani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biryani. Show all posts

WOYP Day #36 Kuska with Mirchi ka salan


Kuska is a mildly seasoned Biryani rice with no vegetables often served with rich, spicy gravies or curries. The mildness goes well in contrast with the heavily seasoned side dish. I’ve seen so many versions of this rice in the past few weeks that I decided I had to try my hand at it :D So here is my version of the Kuska. We had ours with a spicy Mirchi ka Salan. 




Kuska:
You will need:

2 cups Basmati rice (or any long grain rice)
3 cups Water
2 tbsp Oil
2 tbsp Butter
1 onion thinly sliced
2 tomatoes chopped
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Fennel seeds
1/4 cup Yoghurt, lightly beaten
Salt to taste

To grind to a paste:
8-10 mint leaves
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
3 green chillies
4 cloves
1” pc cardamom
6 pods Garlic
1” pc Ginger
2 tbsp chopped onions

Wash the Basmati rice couple of times and then soak in cold water for 20 minutes. Make a smooth paste of the ingredients listed under “To grind”.

Heat oil and butter in a pressure cooker. Add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds. When they begin to splutter add the sliced onions and sauté until light brown. Add the prepared paste and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt to taste. Once the tomatoes are soft, stir in the beaten yogurt. Drain the rice and add to the cooker, stir and then add measured quantity of water. Stir to combine. Close cooker lid and turn heat to high, allow steam to rise. Place weight on lid and lower heat to low. Cook for 9 minutes and then turn off heat.

Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before removing the cooker lid. This allows the rice to absorb all the water and become fluffy. Combine well before serving.

Kuska can be served with a side of boiled eggs too.

Mirchi ka Salan click here



You can use Jalapenos  or Serrano peppers which are spicier than Jalapenos. I also added large chunks of Green bell pepper. If you don't want to add any chilies you can make plain Salan too which goes with any Biryani or flavored rice.



What's on Your Plate? Day #13 - Veg. Dum Biryani


I have shared several recipes for Biryani before, this is a slightly elaborate version and requires an hour at least to make. Getting the ingredients in place helps immensely. It’s for one of those days when you are in the mood for elaborate cooking :) The efforts are well worth it!Simple ingredients, but very big on flavor.



You will need:


2 cups Basmati rice
4 cloves
2 Green cardamom
1” Cinnamon stick
2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Ghee
3 1/4 cups Water

1 potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp Oil, divided
1 tbsp chopped Cilantro

To grind:
1” piece Ginger, peeled
6 pods Garlic
4 green chillies
1/4 cup Mint leaves
1/4 cup Cilantro

1 cup tomato puree (from fresh tomato)
1/4 cup plain yoghurt
2 tsp Garam masala (make sure it's fragrant and not old)
1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
2 tbsp Oil

To boil/steam:
1/2 cup chopped green beans
1/2 cup carrots, cut into 1” strips
1 cup Cauliflower florets
1/2 cup Green peas



Rinse the rice well until the water runs clear. Soak in water for 30 minutes. Drain and add 3 1/4 cups water, the dry spices, salt and ghee. Cook until done and set aside too cool.

In a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil.Add the cubed potato and cook on high heat, tossing every now and then to crisp on all sides. Remove from heat. In the same pan, heat the other 1 tbsp of oil and add the sliced onions. Sauce on medium high until onions are browned and almost crispy. Set aside.

Prep the veggies and boil or steam them until 3/4th done.

Lightly butter a large oven safe dish. Preheat oven to 350F.

Grind the listed ingredients. Heat oil in a pan and then add the ground paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Now add the tomato puree and the steamed veggies. Add garam masala, red chili powder and salt to taste. Combine and bring to a simmering boil. Lightly whisk the yoghurt and add to the gravy. Bring to a boil and turn off heat.

Assembly:

Spread half the rice in the prepared baking pan. Pour the prepared gravy on top. Top with the remaining rice. Spread the prepared potato, onions and chopped cilantro on top. Drizzle a tbsp of ghee on top. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. This basically allows the rice to soak in the flavors of the gravy. 


Remove from oven, let sit for 10 minutes, Remove foil and then lightly mix the rice. Serve hot with a cucumber raita. i also served it with hard boiled eggs on the side which you can leave out if you want to keep this true vegetarian. 

Blog Widget by LinkWithin