Bariis iskukaris

Bariis Iskukaris, also called Isku-dheh karis is a traditional rice dish from Somali cuisine thats customarily cooked from a single pan or where the tenderization of both rice and stew occurs at some point in a single pan.^[1][2][3] The name Isku-dheh karis literally means "cooked mixed together", therefore it is sometimes used to more broadly refer to other grain-derived crops that require similar cooking. Hence the more specific term for this dish is bariis isku-dheh karis which means "rice (bariis) cooked mixed together".^[4]

Bariis iskukaris

Bariis with camel meat
Course	lunch or dinner
Place of origin	Somalia
Region or state	East Africa
Main ingredients	rice and meat
Media: Bariis iskukaris

Process

Because the different ingredients require different cooking times to make the ingredients tender or cooked, iskukaris is one of the more difficult rice dishes to cook. Since meat requires the longest cooking time, meat is usually the first ingredient to be placed in a iskukaris pan, followed by longer tenderizing vegetables such as potatoes, and then short-cooking vegetables are usually added at the same time as the rice. The addition of the rice is usually the trickiest part as it requires an experienced chef to ensure the surface rice cooks evenly with the middle-layered rice; this requires perfect timing.^[5]

Bariis iskukaris is made from basmati rice, and is typically topped with raisins, peas, and fried potatoes, onions and peppers, and served with roasted lamb, beef, goat, camel, or chicken. It is a national dish of Somalia and is especially popular at weddings and is a staple dish which is almost universally served as part of a Somali daily meal. It is almost always accompanied with a roasted meat dish, the most common being lamb or goat meat, and served with fresh bananas.^[6]

Spices

The dish incorporates a spice mixture called xawaash which literally translates as "spices" in the Somali language and which is made from a mixture of ground cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika, cardamon, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Either saffron or orange or red food coloring are added to the dish after the rice has finished cooking to give the dish an orange color.^[7]

History and culture

Bariis iskukaris can be served with various meats including chicken, mutton, fish or camel meat. It is typically served with a banana on the side. This rice dish is often served from a clay pot called baris dhari, which serves to impart flavor from food cooked in metal pots.^[8] Bariis and meat dishes served with it are considered Halal and as such are suitable for consumption by Muslims. ^[9]

Gallery

• Somali bariis dishes
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  Bariis iskukaris with camel meat
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  Bariis iskukaris with fish, liver and vegetables
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  Bariis iskukaris with chicken