Ready in

30 mins

Cuisine

Indian · South Indian

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Serving

2-3 People

Difficulty

Easy

Calories / Serving

~280 kcal

Spicy Level

Adjust Servings
Measurements

Cook along with Sweet'N'Spicy

Make cooking easier with recipes right on your phone. Get the Sweet'N'Spicy app for iPhone and Android.

Tap an ingredient to mark it ready0 of 18 ready
All Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow each step to make the recipe successfully.

  1. Heat Oil

    Heat a pan and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.

  2. Add Tempering Spices

    Once the oil is hot, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, a few sprigs of curry leaves, 2 green chilies, and 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds. Let them splutter.

  3. Sauté Onion

    Add 1 medium chopped onion to the pan and fry until it becomes translucent.

  4. Add Tomato and Seasonings

    Add 1 medium chopped tomato, salt to taste, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper powder. Cook well, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften.

  5. Add Ginger Garlic Paste and Vegetables

    Add 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste, 1/2 cup of green peas, and 1/2 cup of corn to the mixture.

  6. Add Turmeric and Mix

    Add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix all the ingredients well to combine.

  7. Add Sesame Seeds and Water

    Add 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

  8. Add Roasted Semolina

    Once the water is boiling well, add 1 cup of roasted semolina (upma rava) gradually while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

  9. Cook Upma

    Mix well and continue to cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the water is fully absorbed and the upma becomes fluffy. This usually takes about .

  10. Garnish and Finish

    Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Turn off the gas, add 1 tablespoon of ghee, and mix well before serving hot.

Before You Cook

Helpful details before you start
Ingredient SubstitutionsMissing something? View suitable alternatives.
View 5 swaps
  • No Curry leaves?

    • 1 bay leaf + a pinch of lemon zest — Aroma only — flavor is unique.
  • No Onion?

    • 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
    • 3 tbsp dried minced onion
    • Shallots or leeks (1:1)
  • No Garlic (fresh)?

    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
    • 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
  • No Cilantro?

    • Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
    • Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
  • No Ghee?

    • Unsalted butter (1:1)
    • Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)

Variations

Simple ways to adapt this recipe.

  • Add chopped carrots or capsicumCustomise

    Add chopped carrots or capsicum along with peas and corn.

  • For a richer tasteCustomise

    You can roast cashews and add them at the end.

Helpful Tips

Small details that can improve the final result.

  • TipYou Can Add Other Vegetables

    You can add other vegetables like capsicum or carrots.

  • Flavour tipAdjust Green Chilies and Pepper

    Adjust green chilies and pepper powder according to your spice preference.

  • Flavour tipAdding Ghee at the End

    Adding ghee at the end enhances the flavor and texture.

Was this recipe helpful?

Comments (0)

Sign in to leave a comment on this recipe.

Loading comments...