Vermicelli was almost a staple ingredient in Amma's kitchen. Even when she used to make Semiya Upma, I made sure I had something else to eat and avoided vermicelli with vengeance. Then when I had my own kitchen, I realised what a saver vermicelli is, at times. Even then I didn't make it often enough. On the other hand, Athamma loves this and always keeps reminding me that I should get it in the regular grocery.
For all the dislike I had hearing the name, I actually end up eating it well when Amma or Athamma makes it. My problem has always been in making it too soggy. So I happily let Athamma cook this anytime she wants. She makes the best Vermicelli pulao, and the upma that Amma makes comes out awesome.
With this many varieties, I felt I should check out what the pack cover recipe talks about and found this biryani listed out. I have been wanting to make this for over months. As hubby dear has changed his eating habit and takes tiffin for lunch, this worked out really well. Since I used roasted variety it ended up being very quick and simple.
Step by Step Recipe
Vermicelli Biryani | Semiya Biryani with Vegetables
Ingredients Needed:
Roasted Vermicelli / Semiya - 2 cups
Vegetables, finely chopped - 1 cup (Carrot, Beans, Peas and potatoes)
Onions - 1 medium
Ginger Garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Green Chilis - 2 medium
Coriander powder - 3/4 tsp
Tomato - 2 small
Cloves - 2
Cinnamon stick - 1"
Shahjeera - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tsp
Coriander leaves - some
Water - 3 & 1/2 cups
Method to prepare:
Take oil in a non stick pan, add all the whole spices. Then add chopped onions, saute well, followed by the ginger garlic paste. Cook for couple of mins til the raw smell leaves.
Meanwhile chop vegetables, micro for 10 mins.
Then add cooked vegetables, saute till the vegetables are dry. Then add the coriander powder, turmeric powder and mix everything well together. Then add water and bring to boil. Finely chopped coriander leaves can be added at this stage. Cover with lid and bring to boil.
Once the water starts boiling, add roasted vermicelli and mix well. Simmer with the lid covered. Stir in between.
Serve warm or cold
Notes: Cooking the vegetables in microwave speedups the cooking. If you can't micro, then add to the pan and cook till the vegetables are tender. In that case you can increase the water to 1:2 ratio.
I personally felt that instead of whole spices, I should have added them as powder as I don't normally like to munch on these and it also makes a job easy when you want to feed this to kids.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#7
Veena Aravind says
this is a very good recipe for the kids..all veges..in rice noodles..!! nice one 🙂
Divya.M says
even i used to prepare such semiya once in a while... colour really attracts valli
Sin-A-Mon (Monika) says
thats my son's favorite 🙂
Kadhyaa... says
thats my favourite breakfast
Taste Junction says
I agree on vermicelli being one of those life saver ingredients. Best part is that it can be adapted in any way and substituted for so many things!! Nice recipe!
Jayashree says
ditto on avoiding this when my mother made it and using it frequently now.
PJ says
This is a nice version. I have never tried it. I always prefer thayir semiya to the regular semiya upma. This looks good too...
Suma Gandlur says
I love vermicelli and also have that wrapper with biryani recipe saved to try.
I usually go with 1 and quarter cup of water for each cup of vermicelli I use to avoid it being mushy / soggy.
harini-jaya says
for me semiya is a staple and semiya upma is a regular at home! I cook semiya like pasta and I feel that ensures that the semiya doesn't get gooey and retains the shape 🙂
Suja says
Unique recipe..looks delicious..
Krithi's Kitchen says
Semiya upma is a quick and easy recipe.. love with lot of vegetables.
thekitchenaffaire says
Thats a yummy recipe.. Never tried this.. 🙂
Nithya says
This is pretty interesting 🙂 I tried making briyani of similar kind with idiyappam but making it with semiya is a lovely idea too 🙂
Vardhini says
I recently made this and my son loved it. I love that it cooks pretty quick.
ANU says
yes always been a life saver for me...when thinking of breakfast
Hari Chandana says
Lovely recipe.. Looks perfect !!
divya says
Healthy and tasty dish..Looks great!
Mom Chef says
love this anytime 🙂 although hubby detests sevai, your bambino packet reminds me of one lying in my pantry to be used soon 😉
Kalyani
Reshmi Mahesh says
Love vermicelli upma...Its easy to prepare on busy days...and really tasty...You have given a nice descriptive post on that...
Gayathri Kumar says
Very delicious biryani..