mixed vegetable semiya upma / vermicelli upma

A popular south Indian breakfast which is delicious, healthy and filling. Upma is not a favourite to many but this one tastes different. Perfect for breakfast or dinner...even as an evening snack. After a lot of trials, I learnt to cook perfect semiya upma (that doesn’t turn soggy). I added the vegetables for that extra nutrition and colour (it’s purely optional). It’s absolutely kid friendly and easy to prepare (it's easier if you measure the ingredients before you cook)

Preparation time: 10minutes 
Cooking time: 25minutes
Serves: 4-5

You need: 

3 cups of roasted semia (vermicelli)
1 big carrot (cut into small cubes)
½ cup fresh green peas
41/2 cups of water
2tbsps cooking oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
10-12 cashew nuts (halved)
2 medium size onions (julienned / sliced fine)
2 sprigs of curry leaves
2-3 green chillies
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp chilli powder (optional)
salt to taste

For garnishing:
juice of half a lemon
coriander leaves
a tbsp ghee

Step-by-step: 

Take a bowl and boil 41/2 cups of water (that’s a perfect measurement!) 

Microwave all the veggies –Carrots and peas for 5-6 minutes (till they are almost half cooked) 

Heat oil in a non-stick kadhai, add mustard. Once it crackles, throw in the cashews and toss till it turns light brown in colour
Now add onions, curry leaves and green chillies. Stir till the onions turn pink (do not over cook) 

Add the cooked peas and carrot and give it a good mix 

Add turmeric and chilli powder. Stir for 2-3 minutes 

Pour in the boiled water. Add salt (always good to taste at this stage to adjust the salt and spice) 

Reduce the flame, add the roasted semia, cover and cook till all the water’s evaporated and the semia is soft (keep checking, will take about 12 minutes) 

Now for the most important step. Remove from the fire and keep covered for 5-10minutes. (you’ll notice that the semia is not mushy anymore, that’s the right consistency!) 



Garnish with lime juice and coriander leaves

Serve hot with few drops of ghee and lots of love

Yours Tastefully!!