Veggie Foodie

Upma mix

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seed
• 2 tbsp split Chana Dal (Bengal gram)
• 2 tbsp split Urad dal (Black gram)
• 1/4 cup cashew pieces (optional)
• 1-2 green chilis, chopped
• 12-15 curry leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro / coriander leaves
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp asafetida (hing)
• 1 1/2 cups semolina / coarse rava / sooji
• 2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a pan on medium to high heat
2. Add mustard seeds, channa dal and urad dal. Fry them till the dals become light brown
3. Add green chilies, coriander leaves, curry leaves, cashew nuts and sauté for another 3-4 minutes. Sauté till there is no moisture left in curry leaves and green chilies and become crisp
4. Add turmeric powder, hing / asafetida and mix well
5. Add rava / sooji and roast on low to medium heat till it becomes light brown… about 8-10 minutes. Regularly keep stirring making sure rava does not burn or become dark in color (it wont taste good if it gets dark / burns)
6. Add salt, sugar, lime juice, mix well and roast for 2-3 minutes till lime juice moisture is evaporated and the mix is dry without any lumps
7. Turn off the heat and let it cool completely then store it airtight container in the refrigerator. You can use this mix to make upma for 4-6 weeks

Mix Vegetable Upma

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ghee / peanut oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup mix vegetables such as chopped carrots, green peas
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 inch ginger, grated
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup instant upma mix
• 1/2 cup spinach, chopped

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan
2. Add chopped onion, vegetables, salt and sauté for 2-3 minutes
3. Add grated ginger and sauté for 2 minutes
4. Add 3 cups water, bring to boil and then lower the heat. Cover and cook the vegetables for 2 minutes
5. Slowly add 1 cup upma mix constantly stirring it into the water
6. Add chopped spinach, mix well and cook on slow heat for a minute
7. Turn off the heat, cover and let it rest for 4-5 minutes
8. Enjoy with coconut chutney and sambar!

Serves:

Makes 2 cups of upma mix and 4 -6 servings of upma

Inspiration source:

https://www.indianveggiedelight.com/instant-upma-mix/