Semolina Upma

This is my another semolina recipe, previously, I had shared the recipe of Semolina pancake means uttapam! Upma is the quick and easy peasy recipe on my blog, so far. As it is said, don't judge a book by its cover, I think, the same goes with food! So please don't make that awful face by just looking at the color of the food. I think all food that has a tint of white always taste better than the spicy red or appealing yellow one's. If I can name a few, take it simple vegetable or chicken pulav, white chicken kadhai, idlis, dosa's, white dhokla's or some non-desi food like Chinese fried rice and noodles, creamy white sauce-pasta, mashed potatoes, and so many more! See, hence proved!

Make upma once and forget all other tasteless fat controlling food. In Mumbai, I used to devour on upma, poha and idlis. They were love! Coconut water used to be the better half combination to join in. I always preferred upma in order to balance my fitness menu otherwise it is just a waste to do yoga and consume all the food that does no good to your body. I feel that eating right is paramount but, more necessary is to prioritize the taste and flavors of food aswell. Why? Because if you fail to satisfy your taste buds and replace your daily dose of food practice then you may end up hogging more food once or twice a week resulting in zero outcome of weight loss. I am a total Indian food lover, I need that spice or masala in my food, I cannot wait that long for Sunday binge. It's like waiting for 6 days a week!ah a Big No No! 

I definitely cheat a little by adding pani puri as an evening snack,  cheesy pizza (cutting down half amount of cheese), I don't avoid whites like rice or pasta but I make sure to eat in little portions for sure, samosa or wada pav that has less quantity of potatoes. Making all my desirable foods at home is always a win-win task for me, as I can manage to add or subtract fatty ingredients by my choice so that everything savor yummy and satisfying! 

Upma is one of those star recipes that facilitates me when am not in a cook mood, it is soothing and light recipe when I am sick, plus it takes less time to make unlike chicken soup or khichdi. Team up upma with fresh coconut chutney and sprinkle some crunchy sev  to add some drama. Sev is basically an Indian snack made up of chickpea flour - looks like extra thin noodles - you can find it at any Indian store. You can add veggies like peas, carrots, beans to make it kids friendly, I haven't added anything in this as I like to eat it in the simplest form possible.

Semolina - Rava Upma

Preparation Time: 5 minutes, depends on your onion chopping speed

Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes 

Total Time: 13 minutes 

Serves: 2 Persons

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup semolina or rava, this is less portion recommended for newbies 

1 large finely chopped onion 

1/2 teaspoon split white lentils or urad dal 

1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds or rai 

2 tablespoon of ghee or cooking oil, as per your preference 

1 cup warm water 

1/2  teaspoon sugar, sweet as per your preference 

Salt to taste

Direction:

• In a non stick pan, simply add _1/2 cup of semolina and roast it until it turns light brown in shade.
• Caution: Don't forget to stir it often while its roasting otherwise it may turn dark brown.
• As soon as the semolina becomes crisp and seems dry, switch off the flame and immediately transfer the granules in a plate.
• In a same pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of ghee or cooking oil. Add mustard seeds and split white lentils. Allow it to fry until it gives crackling sound.
• When white lentils becomes crisp and light brown, add the chopped onions and fry until it turns translucent.
• After that, lower the flame and mix the fine granules of semolina with onions. Turn the flame high and pour 1 cup of warm water with salt and sugar. Keep stirring and mixing everything.
• You will see all the water disappearing pronto, because semolina sucks in all water, expand and gets cooked. Cover and allow it to steam on a low flame for a minute or two.
• Switch off the flame and our upma is ready. Add coriander leaves or sev as you like. Mix well and serve it hot with coconut chutney and lemon wedges for more awesomeness in taste. Enjoy!