Upma
Veg
Vegan
Semolina (rava) roasted dry, then cooked with a tempering of mustard seeds, urad dal, green chillies, onion, ginger, and curry leaves in oil, with water added to steam the rava into a soft, savoury porridge. The everyday South Indian breakfast — served with coconut chutney or a spoonful of ghee, sometimes garnished with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon. Polarising in its simplicity but irreplaceable on the South Indian morning table.
Cuisines
Chettinad
Tamil Brahmin
Kongunadu
Madras
Udupi
Andhra
Best for
Breakfast
Build a full meal around Upma
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 35 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Semolina |
|
2 tablespoons | Ghee or oil |
|
1 teaspoon | Mustard Seed |
|
1 teaspoon | Urad dal |
|
1 teaspoon | Chana dal |
|
1 pinch | Asafoetida |
|
1 tablespoon | Cashew , nuts |
|
1 tablespoon | Ginger , finely chopped |
|
1 medium | Onion , finely chopped |
|
2 number | Green Chili , slit |
|
1 sprig | Curry Leaf |
|
1 cup | Vegetable , mixed (carrot, peas, beans), chopped |
|
2 cups | Water |
|
to taste | Salt |
|
2 tablespoons | Cilantro , chopped |
|
1 teaspoon | Lemon juice |
Instructions
- 1 Dry roast the semolina in a pan on medium heat until it turns light golden and aromatic. Set aside.
- 2 In the same pan, heat ghee or oil and add mustard seeds. Allow them to splutter.
- 3 Add urad dal, chana dal, and cashew nuts. Fry until they turn golden brown.
- 4 Add asafoetida, chopped ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, and onions. Sauté until onions turn translucent.
- 5 Add the mixed vegetables and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- 6 Pour in water and add salt to taste. Bring it to a boil.
- 7 Lower the heat and slowly add the roasted semolina, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- 8 Cover and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the semolina is cooked.
- 9 Turn off the heat and add lemon juice and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.
- 10 Serve hot with coconut chutney or pickle.
Tips
For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of grated coconut while cooking.