A very simple, quick to make high energy, one-pot meal. Add vegetables to the dish, and yogurt as a side, and it can make a complete meal. It can be made in roughly 30 minutes, if you plan right, and do the prep work.

Prep Time | 20 minutes |
Cook Time | 10 minutes |
Servings |
people
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Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup Rava Also known as semolina, cream of wheat. Available in most Indian stores. I use the fine variety
- 1/2 number Onion - red or white is fine
- 1 number Tomato Medium, juicy
- 1.5 cups Chopped mixed vegetables Optional: Carrots, peas, lima beans, green beans
- 3 tsp Salt
- 3 tbsp Oil, ghee (clarified butter) or butter Use
- 1 inch piece Ginger, peeled and finely chopped Optional if you don't like the flavor of ginger
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tsp White urad dhal (Bengal gram)
- 10 pieces Cashew nut, broken or whole Optional; can also use raw/roasted peanuts
- 1/2 tsp Hing Asafoetida
- 5-10 leaves Curry leaves
- 3 cups Boiling water
Garnish
- 1/2 cup Finely chopped cilantro
- 1 or 2 tsp Fresh lime or lemon juice
Ingredients
Main
Seasoning Ingredients
Garnish
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Instructions
Prep
- Chop all the vegetables and keep ready. Keep the hot water ready.
- Heat half of the oil/butter in a curved pan (kadai/vaanali) and fry the semolina until fragrant, about 5 minutes. This step is to ensure it doesn't get lumpy when cooked. Take care not to burn - keep stirring the rava.
Main
- Heat the remaining oil/butter; when hot but not smoking hot, add mustard seeds.
- When they splutter, add all the remaining seasoning ingredients
- Add onions and ginger if using, and saute until translucent; add 1/2 tsp of salt for the onions
- Add tomatoes if using and cook for a couple of minutes; add 1/2 tsp of salt for the tomatoes
- Add the remaining vegetables if using and saute everything together, add 1/2 tsp of salt
- Now add the boiling water, and reduce the heat slightly
- Add the remaining salt
- When the water starts to bubble, gently and slowly pour the rava, a little bit at a time. Make sure the heat is low as it could splutter at this point
- When all the rava is added, mix everything together, smashing any lumps if present
- Turn the heat off; add cilantro and lime juice if using.
- Cover for about 5 minutes; open and mix everything gently together.
Recipe Notes
Add a side of plain, thick yogurt to this and you have a complete and satisfying meal.
Have with a cup hot filter coffee, South Indian style for a great breakfast.
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