My life has been influenced by many people around me and so has my cooking. I like to learn more about people and their culture and I believe it’s the beauty of food that helps me connect with people, their history, and their land. Today I am here with a recipe from South India that has been made and relished by a specific community in Tamilnadu. Ghee rice or Kuska is a celebrated dish in most of the small hotels and mess in Tamilnadu.

Last year we went to visit our friends and there I got the chance to taste this dish for the first time. Truth be told, when my friend, told me that she has prepared ghee rice along with some curries, to me it sounded like rice mixed with ghee and maybe salt. But the very first bite of this rice bursting with flavors from ghee/clarified butter, whole spices and herbs transported me to a different world.

This rice preparation sets the perfect example of how simple ingredients can bring out the real flavor when used appropriately. How could I not let this amazing recipe be a part of my blog!! So I jotted down the instructions on a blank canvas of my memory. I am thankful to my friend Mamta for this delightful recipe, which has certainly become loved by my family. From then it was on my ‘to-do list’, and honestly I made it many times, but somehow couldn’t manage to take pictures for my blog which is why I haven't been able to put it up here sooner. It tastes great when accompanied with non-vegetarian curries, but equally justifies the taste with vegetarian curries like kofta or korma, too!