Vermicelli Vegetable Biryani | Semiya Biryani | Semiya Recipe

Semiya Biryani, a delicious biryani recipe made with vermicelli and mixed vegetables. First time, i came to know about this biryani at my friend's marriage reception, i really liked the taste and texture of this biryani. Later i had tried this biryani few times to get the perfect texture,now it became the regular menu in our home. It tastes so good on its own or serve it with onion raita like me.
For this biryani, the texture of the vermicelli is very important. It shouldn't be mushy, to get that perfect texture, always use roasted vermicelli. If you don't have roasted vermicelli, then first roast the vermicelli with 1/2 tsp of  ghee in slow flame until it becomes golden brown evenly. Set it aside and let it cool before using. And then the water quantity, depends on the brand, you may need more or less of the water that i have mentioned. But in most cases, it takes around 3/4 to 1 cup of water for 1/2 cup of vermicelli. 
 

Semiya Biryani

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 15 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Breakfast/Lunch | Recipe Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
Vermicelli/ Semiya - 1/2 cup(heaped)
Mix veg - 1 cup(potato, carrot & peas)
Onion -1 small
Tomato - 1
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tsp
Ghee - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves - few
Curry leaves - few
Water - 1 cup
To Temper
Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
Cloves - 3 
Cardamom - 1

Procedure

Cut the veggies(potato & carrot) into small cubes, place it on the steamer plate along with soaked peas and steam it for 10 mins in the medium flame. Heat the oil & ghee in the pan, add the tempering ingredients listed under "To Temper" and sauté it in the oil for 30 secs.Add the chopped onion& curry leaves and sauté it till it becomes translucent.Then add the ginger garlic paste and sauté  till the raw smell leaves, then add the tomatoes.Add the spice powder(turmeric, red chili & garam masala powder) & salt. Sauté till the tomatoes becomes mushy and then add the cooked veggies.Add the water and coriander leaves and bring into boil.Add the semiya ,give a good mix and then close the pan with lid & cook it in medium flame for 3-4 mins.After 4 mins, semiya is cooked well and also all the water would be absorbed. Switch off the flame and it's ready to serve.Serve Vermicelli Biryani with onion raita.

Notes:

• While steaming the veggies, cook till it's almost done. No need to cook till it soft, otherwise it becomes mushy in the end.
• Add few mint leaves if you have, i'm out of stock on that day, so didn't add it.
• Ghee & garam masala gives great flavor to this semiya biryani.
• I have used roasted semiya biryani. 
• Give some resting timing to biryani before serving, it helps to get the flavor well.