Nagpur: For all the biryani lovers, semiya biryani is a new twist to the traditional biryani. 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 biryani. For a healthier twist you could try with whole wheat pastas.
recipeYou could make chicken semiya (pasta) biryani, vegetable semiya (pasta) biryani, shrimp semiya (pasta) biryani, Mushroom semiya (pasta) biryani, soya semiya (pasta) biryani etc.
Ingredients
Semiya – 2 cups
Chicken pieces – 1 cup (for chicken semiya biryani)/ Assorted Vegetables* – 1 cup (for vegetable semiya biryani)/ Shrimp – 1 cup (for shrimp semiya biryani) etc.
Onion – 1 (chopped)
Tomato – 1
Ginger garlic paste – 2 tsp
Green Chillies – 2
Biryani Masala – 1 tblsp
Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
Fennel Powder – 1 tsp
Chilly Powder – 1 tsp (or as needed)
Mint leaves – handful
Cilantro – handful
Whole Garam Masala – (1 bay leaf, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, 3 cardamon)
Yogurt – 1 cup
Ghee – 1 tblsp
Oil – 1 tblsp
Salt – as needed
Gold Rate
Thursday 13 March 2025
Assorted Vegetables – You could use any vegetables like diced carrot, potato, corn, green peas, capsicum, cauliflower, celery etc.
Chicken Semiya Biryani
Method
1. 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. Semiya Biryani is ready to server. Serve with raita.
