Semiya Briyani ( Kichadi ) - breakfast / dinner

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Semiya biryani is a new twist to the traditional biryani. Traditionally semiya 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. The preparation is very similar to making kichadi.

Ingredients

• Roasted Semiya (Vermicelli or Seviyan) - 2 cups

• Assorted Vegetables - 1 cup (for vegetable semiya biryani)/ Chicken pieces or Shrimp - 1 cup (for non-veg semiya biryani)

• Onion - 1 (chopped)

• Tomato - 1

• Garlic - 2 tsp (finely chopped)

• Green Chilies - 2

• Garam Masala (or Chicken Masala) - 1 tsp

• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

• Chilly Powder - 1 tsp (or as needed)

• Mint leaves - handful

• Cilantro - handful

• Whole Garam Masala - (1 bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 2 cardamon)

• Yogurt - 1/2 cup

• Ghee - 1 tbsp

• Oil - 1 tbsp

• Salt - as needed

Method

1. If you are making non-veg biryani, marinate the chicken (or shrimp) with yogurt, salt and turmeric powder.

2. For Vegetable Biryani, just chop different vegetables and keep it ready. You could use any vegetables like carrots, green peas, celery, cauliflower, corn, capsicum, any fresh beans, potato etc.

3. You need roasted semiya for this recipe. You can either buy ready made roasted semiya or roast it yourself with some ghee.

4. 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. 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.

5. In the meantime, heat another pan with little oil and ghee. Add the whole garam masala to it.

6. Add the chopped onions and saute till it turns golden brown. Next add the green chilies and chopped garlic. Fry for a minute.

7. Add the chopped tomato and let it cook for couple of minutes. Add the chopped mint leaves and cilantro. Cook everything together for another minute.

8. Next add the chopped vegetables or the marinated meat. Also add the salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder and garam masala. For non-veg biryani, we add the curd while marinating. For vegetable biryani, you can add the curd at this stage.

9. Cover and let it cook for few minutes. The vegetable and shrimp would get cook in 5 minutes. Chicken needs about 10 minutes to get cooked.

10. Now add the partially cooked semiya to this. Gently toss the masala with the semiya.

11. Cover it tightly with a lid and reduce the flame to the lowest setting. Let it cook for 10 minutes giving a chance for the flavors to mix with the semiya. You can also do this in the oven.

12. Switch off and garnish with chopped cilantro, toasted nuts and raisins. Semiya Biryani is ready to serve.