A healthy start to the new year with Upma

At the very outset, a very happy new year to all of you! Wish you a gr8 year ahead!

After indulging so much this Christmas and New Year on rich and delicious food, its time to share some healthy yet delicious food. This upma is a regular item on my breakfast table. It is a South Indian dish. It is my hubby's favourite and he can have it almost everyday! Well, I donot make it every day but it certainly find its way once or twice a week.

I have realised that some food items are common in every house hold, yet everyone has their own way of cooking it. Upma is another such item. Like, my MIL doesnot add tomatoes which I do and  I have friends who like to add carrots, cucumber and peas. So, its all up to ones personal preference. Lets have a look at how I make our staple breakfast item -'Upma'.



Upma:

½ cup semolina.
1 tsp mustard seeds.
1 tbsp oil.
1 green chili slit.
4-5 curry leaves.
½ tsp urid dal.
2 tbsp cashews, chopped into chunks
2 tbsp raisins, soaked in water for 15 minutes
¼ cup chopped onion.
¼ cup chopped tomato without seeds.
1 tbsp lemon juice or to taste.
½ tsp sugar (optional)
Salt to taste.
2-3 tbsp chopped coriander and extra to garnish.
1 ¼ cup water.

Process:

1. Dry roast the semolina in a pan till it is a shade darker and gives out a distinct aroma. Take it off gas.

2. Heat another pan and add oil. When heated add the mustard seeds, curry leaves, urid dal and green chili. Saute for a minute.
3. Now add the cashew nuts and chopped onions and heat for 2-3 minutes till the onions are translucent and cashew are light brown.
4. Add the raisins and saute for a few seconds. Now add the roasted semolina and give a good stir.

5.Add the lemon juice, salt sugar and water. Keep stirring it and the mixture will thicken.

6. Cook for another 3-4 minutes and turn off the gas.

7. You can add the chopped coriander leaves to the upma or can just garnish it with them or both.

Serve warm. Enjoy!