Upma (Semolina based breakfast preparation)

Upma is one of the simplest yet yummy breakfast snacks. Power packed with nutrients . Easily prepared from ingredients available in your kitchen pantry. Also it can be prepared very fast and is a simple and easy to digest dish. Probably that is what has made this humble dish very popular. Also consumed in the Southern part of India where it is often served with coconut chutney and Sambhar. I enjoy it as it is with generous garnish of freshly grated coconut , coriander and some barik shev to Top it. 

INGREDIENTS :

Semolina or rawa (Thick variety)  1 bowl

ghee 2 tsp 

Onion 1 big (Finely chopped)

tomato  1 small (Finely chopped)

green peas shelled 1/2 bowl or 1 fistful

green chillies chopped    3 to 4 (Adjust as per taste)

split urad dal  1 tsp

mustard seeds 1 tsp

cumin seeds   1 pinch 

curry leaves     6 to 8

Salt to taste 

sugar   1/2 tsp

Oil 2 Tbsp

Boiling Hot water  2 Bowls 

METHOD :

1. In a kadai or thick bottomed wok, roast the rawa along with the ghee till it releases aroma.

Take care not to brown the rawa.

2. Switch off gas and remove in a plate. Add the salt and sugar to this rawa and mix well. Keep aside.

3. In the same kadhai, heat the Oil. Once Oil is hot , add the urad dal and stir till it becomes light brown in colour. Keep gas on low now. Else the urad dal will burn .

4. Now add mustard seeds, pinch of cumin seeds, curry leaves, chillies and chopped onions and stir well. Add the green peas too.

5. Once the onions are translucent, add the chopped tomatoes and stir for a min or two.

6. To this add the rawa , salt n sugar mixture and stir well for 1 min.

7. Now add the boiling hot water and mix really well. Do not let any lumps to be formed .

8. Keep the flame on low and cook covered . Stir after every couple of minutes. 

9. Add more water if required. (Initially the mixture will be liquidy but will soon solidify as te rawa gets cooked.

10. Turn off gas once rawa is cooked (You can take a small qty between your thumb and forefinger to see if it is cooked) 

11. Your 'Upma' is ready to be served. Garnish with freshly grated coconut, chopped coriander and some spicy shev ... Enjoy !!!