There were days in my childhood when I used to literally shed tears when Upma was made at home by mum and am sure there will be quite some people who would be able to relate to that……It is a quick, easy dish (taking less than 5 minutes) to prepare and hence considered a fast food in most South Indian households which can be served for breakfast or as a snack or “tiffin” for afternoon tea. My preference is to use Coarse Semolina and the variation in this recipe is using the vegetables!!
Ingredients
1 Cup Coarse Semolina
2-3 Cups Hot Boiling Water
1 -2 Tsp Salt
1 Tbs Ghee or Oil
For Seasoning
2 Tbs Oil
1 Tsp Mustard Seeds
1 Tsbs Urad Dal
1 Tbs Channa Dal
¼ Tsp Asafoetida Powder
2-3 Green chillies
Handful of chopped cashew nuts
Vegetables Required
1 Medium Sized Onion
1 Medium Sized Tomato
1/4 Cup Grated Carrot
1/4 Cup Fresh or Frozen Peas
1 Tbs. Chopped Cashew nuts
1 inch piece Ginger ( finely sliced)
1-2 Green Chillies (finely sliced)
Few Curry Leaves
Preparation
Chop the onions and tomatoes fine. Grate the carrot and keep aside
Heat oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds
When the mustard seeds crackle, add the remainder of the above ingredients
Fry till the dals and cashew nuts turn golden brown.
Add the finely chopped onion, tomato, peas, green chillies and grated carrot
Saute for a few minutes and pour in the semolina
Fry for 2-3 minutes on a low flame and turn off the stove
When the Upma is ready to be served, turn the stove on, add the hot boiling water to the above seasoned semolina vegetable mix in the pan.
Sprinkle the salt, add the ghee or oil and mix it thoroughly and turn the stove off when it is semi solid in consistency
The Vegetable Upma is now ready to be served
Note: Upma and Vegetable Upma varieties tastes great and delicious when you prepare the semolina vegetable mix in advance and add the hot boiling water just before it is served!! My preference is to use the vegetables that has been mentioned in the recipe – you may add vegetable suitable to your taste!!
Preparing the dry semolina- vegetable mix as described above in advance and adding hot boiling water 5 minutes before it is served, works well in terms of taste and texture!!!
Aval Upma and Rava (Semolina) Upma are prepared in a similar manner but ofcourse with slight variations!!