Rava Upma – Savoury Semolina
A light and satisfying breakfast or really anytime small meal. Add yogurt/curds and a pickle, and it’s a total meal.
Servings Prep Time
2people 20minutes
Cook Time
10minutes
Servings Prep Time
2people 20minutes
Cook Time
10minutes
Ingredients
Main
  • 1cup RavaAlso known as semolina, cream of wheat. Available in most Indian stores. I use the fine variety
  • 1/2number Onion – red or white is fine
  • 1number TomatoMedium, juicy
  • 1.5cups Chopped mixed vegetablesOptional: Carrots, peas, lima beans, green beans
  • 3tsp Salt
  • 3tbsp Oil, ghee (clarified butter) or butterUse
  • 1inch piece Ginger, peeled and finely choppedOptional if you don’t like the flavor of ginger
Seasoning Ingredients
  • 1tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1tsp White urad dhal (Bengal gram)
  • 10pieces Cashew nut, broken or wholeOptional; can also use raw/roasted peanuts
  • 1/2tsp HingAsafoetida
  • 5-10leaves Curry leaves
  • 3cups Boiling water
Garnish
  • 1/2cup Finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 or 2 tsp Fresh lime or lemon juice
Instructions
Prep
  1. Chop all the vegetables and keep ready. Keep the hot water ready.
  2. 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
  1. Heat the remaining oil/butter; when hot but not smoking hot, add mustard seeds.
  2. When they splutter, add all the remaining seasoning ingredients
  3. Add onions and ginger if using, and saute until translucent; add 1/2 tsp of salt for the onions
  4. Add tomatoes if using and cook for a couple of minutes; add 1/2 tsp of salt for the tomatoes
  5. Add the remaining vegetables if using and saute everything together, add 1/2 tsp of salt
  6. Now add the boiling water, and reduce the heat slightly
  7. Add the remaining salt
  8. 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
  9. When all the rava is added, mix everything together, smashing any lumps if present
  10. Turn the heat off; add cilantro and lime juice if using.
  11. 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.