Spice Up Your Mornings: Rainbow Veggie Upma!

Upma, a savory South Indian breakfast dish, is made with semolina (rava or sooji). It’s known for its comforting taste and versatility. The base recipe involves roasting rava and simmering it with vegetables and spices. This recipe provides a guide for a basic vegetable Upma. It includes onions, green chilies, curry leaves, and your choice of vegetables. Feel free to personalize it with your favorite ingredients!

Ingredients

• 1 cup rava (semolina)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped ginger
• 1 green chili, chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1/4 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, beans) – chopped
• 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• A few curry leaves
• 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt to taste
• Chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Roast the Rava or Sooji: Dry roast the rava in a pan over medium heat until it turns light golden brown. This takes about 7-10 minutes. Set aside.

Tadka (Flavoring): Heat oil in the same pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then, add urad dal and curry leaves. Fry the dal until it becomes golden brown.

Saute the Vegetables: Add chopped onions, ginger, and green chili to the pan. Sauté until the onions become translucent.

Add Vegetables (Optional): If using, add your chopped vegetables and cook until slightly tender.

Cook the Upma: Add water to the pan (around 3 cups, adjust based on desired consistency). Bring it to a boil—season with salt.

Incorporate the Rava: Slowly drizzle the roasted rava into the boiling water, while constantly stirring to prevent lumps. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the rava is cooked through and the Upma reaches a desired consistency.

Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) and serve hot.

Tips

• You can adjust the amount of water to achieve your preferred texture of Upma. For a drier Upma, use less water.
• For a richer flavor, you can add cashews or peanuts to the tadka and saute them along with the urad dal.
• You can experiment with different vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, or grated coconut.
• Upma can be enjoyed with a side of chutney or sambar for a more complete meal.
  

Enjoy this delicious popular South Indian breakfast at home!