For all the biriyani lovers, semiya biriyani is a new twist to the traditional biriyani. Traditionally semiya (vermicelli pasta) was used just to make payasam and upma. But those who are not big fans of upma and payasam and those who really love spice food, here is a great alternative with semiya. It is also a good option for those who are trying to avoid rice. You could use the same recipe and make pasta biriyani. For a healthier twist you could try with whole wheat pastas.
You could make chicken semiya (pasta) biriyani, vegetable semiya (pasta) biryani, shrimp semiya (pasta) biriyani, Mushroom semiya (pasta) biryani, soya semiya (pasta) biriyani etc.
Ingredients
Semiya - 2 cupsChicken pieces - 1 cup (for chicken semiya biriyani)/ Assorted Vegetables* - 1 cup (for vegetable semiya biriyani)/ Shrimp - 1 cup (for shrimp semiya biriyani) etc.Onion - 1 (chopped)Tomato - 1Ginger garlic paste - 2 tspGreen Chillies - 2Biriyani Masala - 1 tblspTurmeric powder - 1/2 tspFennel Powder - 1 tspChilly Powder - 1 tsp (or as needed)Mint leaves - handfulCilantro - handfulWhole Garam Masala - (1 bay leaf, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, 3 cardamon)Yogurt - 1 cupGhee - 1 tblspOil - 1 tblspSalt - as needed
Assorted Vegetables - You could use any vegetables like diced carrot, potato, corn, green peas, capsicum, cauliflower, celery etc.
Method1. Marinate the chicken with yogurt, garam masala powder, salt, chilly powder and turmeric powder.2. Fill a deep pot with water and bring it to a boil. When the water boils, add salt and little oil in the water and put the semiya in.3. Let the semiya cook until it is 75% done. (It should have a bite to it.). At this stage drain the water completely and keep aside.4. In the meantime, heat another pan with little oil and ghee. Add some whole garam masala to it.5. Saute the onions nicely till it turns golden brown. Next add the green chillies and ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell vanishes.6. Add the chopped tomatoes and let it cook till the tomatoes become nice and mushy.7. Add chopped mint leaves, cilantro and fennel powder and saute for a minute.8. Next add the marinated chicken, cover and let it cook in the marinated liquid until the chicken is completely cooked. 9. Check for salt and add the partially cooked semiya to this. Gently toss the masala with the semiya.10. Cover it tightly with a lid and reduce the flame to the lowest setting and let it stay for 15 minutes. You can also put this in the oven.11. Garnish with chopped cilantro, toasted nuts and raisins and serve with raita.
