South Indian Upma Recipe: A Tasty and Healthy Breakfast Delight

Servings: 3 Total Time: 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner
A serving of Upma on a plate with a lemon wedge for added flavor pinit View Gallery 1 photo

Upma recipe is one of the most popular recipes in South India and is favored for its ease of preparation, admirable flexibility, and well-endowed taste. This delicious dish is Prepared from semolina known by other names as Rava or suji is a common dish found in most Indian homes. The Upma recipe is quite a simple and tasty recipe suitable for consumption during breakfast, after preparing a tasty dish, the human body is ready to take on the rigorous tasks of the day. Now let us take a closer look at the process of Preparation of this scrumptious Upma Recipe and why it is favored as a breakfast meal.

The Upma recipe begins with the key ingredient

Upma Recipe

Semolina Once again, the low sugar and preservative counts, little fat, and low cholesterol levels will make this product perfect for breakfast. Semolina is wheat steeped to fine powder known as Coarse flour and is commonly used in Indian foods. This variety is roasted to a golden brown hue because this is the best surface color that will produce a rich nutty flavor of the cheese and at the same time this will not allow the cheese chunks to clump together during the cooking process. This step is very important in the preparation of Upma since it defines the texture and taste of the final product.

Fluffed Upma garnished with fresh coriander leaves, ready to be served

Flexibility is also another virtue of the Upma recipe since one can add or replace the components of the dish as he or she deems fit. You can replace it with a choice of vegetables of your choice depending on what you want as your diet. These items may comprise of carrots, peas, beans, and bell peppers. Besides giving a rich color to the Upma these vegetables introduce additional nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. Upma also follows the addition of tasty aromatics such as mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and green chili which give a rich taste to Upma.

Upma served with a small bowl of sambar on the side for a complete South Indian meal

Upma recipe is relatively easy to prepare and requires the following procedure: After toasting the semolina, what follows is the preparation of the tempering. In a pan, heat oil/ghee and put in Mustard seeds, Cumin seeds, Chana Dal which is split Chickpeas, and Urad Dal which is split black gram. The above ingredients are stir-fried until they get a brownish color and emit a nice smell. Then put a little oil/ ghee and sauté the ingredients such as finely chopped onions, green chilies, grated ginger, and curry leaves. The onions are cooked until they turn clear and the mixed vegetables are included and cooked for a short while till tender.

Upma served with a generous sprinkle of fresh coriander leaves on top

This is followed by the addition of water to the pan which is allowed to simmer. The roasted semolina is slowly incorporated bit by bit into the mixture as this reduces the chances of formation of lumps. This step is mandatory to address the perfect texture that disappears in the Upma recipe. The semolina swells up and hence thickens the liquid that is being used in this process. The pan is then covered, and the Upma is cooked for a few more minutes on low flame allowing all the flavors to infuse well.

Upma served with a side of coconut chutney on a white plate

After the Upma is done it is forked well, garnished with fresh coriander leaves. To enhance the flavor, lemon juice may be squeezed on top of the Upma as it is served. The final touch-up adds a certain type of sour taste to the dish which counteracts the richness of the spices used in the dish.

Upma served with coconut chutney and a cup of tea, a traditional South Indian breakfast

So the Upma recipe is a tasty dish that also provides a play of textures to anyone who will be munching on it. An interesting type of roughness is contributed by semolina and thickness is enhanced by the crunchiness of the vegetables. The spices and the herbs enhance the food was enjoyable than any other food from other parts of the world. Unlike the conventional Upma recipes that are normal and only interesting due to their variety, this Upma recipe is an interesting meal that is also very nutritious and will sustain a person throughout the day.

Try More Recipe:- Easy Fried Rice Recipe: Quick and Delicious Homemade Meal

South Indian Upma Recipe: A Tasty and Healthy Breakfast Delight

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 40 mins
Servings: 3 Calories: 310
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Upma is the traditional food taken by the inhabitants of the south Indian Origin prepared for breakfast and it’s prepared from semolina (rava/suji). It is a delicious dish with nutritional value and can be taken for breakfast most especially on working and school days. This Upma recipe is very easy and can be prepared instantly and one can always mix and merge vegetables and spices of taste.

Ingredients

Optional Ingredients:

Instructions

  1. Roasting the Semolina:
    • In a dry pan, roast 1 cup of semolina on medium heat until it turns light golden and gives off a nutty aroma.
    • Stir continuously to avoid burning. Once roasted, set it aside in a bowl.
  2. Preparing the Upma Base:
    • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat.
    • Add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and let them splutter.
    • Add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon of chana dal, and 1 tablespoon of urad dal. Sauté until the dals turn golden brown.
  3. Cooking the Vegetables:
    • Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 1-2 finely chopped green chilies, grated ginger, and curry leaves to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.
    • Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, beans) and sauté for a few minutes until they start to soften.
  4. Adding Water and Semolina:
    • Pour 2 1/2 cups of water into the pan and add salt to taste. Bring the water to a boil.
    • Gradually add the roasted semolina while continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until the semolina absorbs the water and thickens.
  5. Final Touches:
    • Cover the pan and let the Upma cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat and let it sit covered for a couple of minutes.
    • Fluff the Upma with a fork, add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh coriander leaves, and mix well.
    • For added flavor, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the Upma.
  6. Serving:
    • Serve the Upma hot, garnished with roasted cashew nuts and grated coconut if desired.
Nutrition Facts

Servings 3


Amount Per Serving
Calories 310kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g19%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 520mg22%
Potassium 173mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 50g17%
Dietary Fiber 5g20%
Sugars 4g
Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 45 IU
Vitamin C 18 mg
Calcium 420 mg
Iron 17 mg
Phosphorus 192 mg
Magnesium 48 mg
Zinc 1 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • You can adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer green chilies.
Keywords: Upma recipe, How to make Upma, Easy Upma recipe, Vegetable Upma recipe, South Indian Upma recipe

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Is Upma healthy?

Yes, Upma is a liked breakfast food because it does not contribute to high fat and calorie intake but instead is high in carbohydrates, fiber, and nutrients from the included vegetables.

How is Upma made non-sticky?

To make Upma not sticky, cook the semolina until it changes color to light golden brown. stick to the bottom and sides of the pan. Also, gradually stir boiling water for it and semolina so that, you will not have lumps of dough.

Is Upma gluten-free?

The Upma which is made with semolina is not a gluten-free recipe, hence it is not considered a suitable fare for the gluten intolerant. still, you can prepare gluten-free one by using rice rava or quinoa.

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