Spicy Mint Meat Vermicelli

 
Egg Vermicelli

Different kind of Lamb Vermicelli

This Semiyah or thin wheat noodles recipe can be made into a totally vegetarian recipe by just skipping the meat or it can be customized to add any kind of meat you like or scramble some eggs on the side and mix them up to make it into Anda Semiyah. But no matter what, try it...it is super delicious

And if you are wondering what Vermicelli or Semiyah is...here is a Link

Spicy Mint meat Vermicelli (Vermicelli with shaved steak and mint )

Spicy Mint Meat Semiyah

Ingredients for Vermicelli Upma:

1. 1 cup roasted semiyah
2. 1/2 teaspoon each of cumin , mustard seeds, turmeric
3. 1 teaspoon urad dal
4. 0.5 table spoon oil
5. 1/4 cup onion sliced
6. Handful of mint leaves
7. light pack cup of cilantro
8. 2 green chillies or less depending on how spicy those chillies are (if using Serrano, use only 1)
9. Few curry leaves
10. 1-2 dried red chillies
11. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
12. 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste + 1/2 teaspoon 

Ingredients shaved steak

1. one medium small or half cup sliced onions
2. 1 lb shaved steak separated 
3. 1 teaspoon each of finely chopped garlic, garlic
4. 1 tablespoon oil
5. 1/2 teaspoon garam masala (optional)
6. 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
7. 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Make the meat first
In a pan heat the oil and add the onions and fry till tender. Add the ginger garlic and fry for a minutes. Now on high flame, add the separated meat and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add salt and pepper and garam masala if using, stir to combine and cook for 5 more minutes or until the meat is cooked through. Set it aside.

Make the upma.

Bring about 4 cups of water to boil in a pot along with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the vermicelli when the water boils and cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain .

Grind the mint+cilantro+green chilli + salt into a smooth paste. About 1 tablespoon water if needed.

In a pan heat the oil and add the mustard seeds and cover and let them cook until they crackle. Add the onions and cook till they become dark brown. Add urad dal and cumin and broken red chillies and curry leaves and fry for 30 more seconds. Add the drained vermicelli to the pan along with the mint cilantro paste. Stir to combine. Drizzle with lemon juice and enjoy

This is your vegetarian option.

If using meat...add the cooked meat to the pan and stir well. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Stir well one more time and enjoy!!!

vegetable Vermicelli pilaf

Today I am not feeling like going out but there was nothing for lunch at home. So I started to think what I can make with the vegetables available. I didn't want to eat rice. So I made vegetable pilaf or Pulao, actually fried rice but instead of rice I used vermicelli or the Indian wheat noodles. And its amazing. I hope you will try it too and leave me a comment

Vegetable Vermicelli pilaf (Vermicelli cooked with a variety of vegetables)

Vegetable Vermicelli Pilaf

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups dry roasted vermicelli
2. 2-3 cups total of your favourite vegetables ( I used carrots, cauliflower, green beans, peas, onions, cabbage and white corn)
3. 2 tablespoons oi divided
4. 1 teaspoon salt divided
5. 1 medium sized red onion sliced and divided
6. 1 green chilly chopped
7. 1 large or 2 small garlic pods minced
8. 2 bay leaves
9. 1 inch cinnamon broken
10. 1/2 teaspoon cumin
11. Handful of soya chunk(optiona) (Heat1-2 cups of water in a microwave and at 1/4 teaspoon salt and add the soya chunks to it and leave it for 2-3 minutes. Drain and break into smaller pieces. set aside)

 Heat one tablespoon oil in a small pan and fry about 3/4 onions till they become dark brown and crispy. Drain and set aside. Boil about 3 cups water and add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon oil and add vermicelli to it and boil till done. Drain and set aside. In a pan heat the oil and fry the bay leafs and cinnamon and the cumin for a couple of minutes. Add garlic and fry for a minute. Add the onions, carrot , cabbage and cauliflower, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add the frozen veggies and cover and cook for 5 more minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and green chily and stir to combine. Add the soya chunks if using and stir. Add the vermicelli and fried onions and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, stir and set aside for 5 minutes. Serve with ketchup

                                        Also try Pulao with Peas and Soya Chunks