Vegetable Upma Recipe

Am getting carried away seeing the happiness and smiles on familiar around,
 "Joy" which comes with December.....though I have a big task in front of me, probably this month  :/
Anyways its time to forget all worries/anxieties, thanking Almighty for another year in our life that we complete this month and hope to have a wonderful New-year.
We should go in pace with the celebration and enjoy :) no matter what as "December" comes again only after a year :D

"Upma" is a very popular, easy to make South Indian Breakfast,
Recipe here has a creamy twist which will make your Upma extra rich and flavorful,
Do give it a try and you'll never be disappointed :)

Ingredients 

Rava/Semolina - 1 cup
Onion - 1/2 of One medium sized, finely chopped
Green Chili's - 3 No's
Tomato - 1/2 of one medium sized, finely chopped
Carrot - 1 medium sized - finely chopped
Beans - 4-6 no's chopped (Optional)
Ginger - 1/2 inch size Piece - finely chopped
Garlic - 2 No's finely chopped
Ghee/ Vegetable Oil - 3 Tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Split Urad Dal - 1/2 tsp (Optional)
Split Gram Dal - 1 tsp (Optional)
Cashew nuts or Peanuts -  1 tbsp (Optional)
Cilantro/Coriander leaves - 1tbsp chopped (Optional) -avaoid if you dislike its taste.
Ghee - 1 tsp (Optional)
Salt to taste.


And the secret ingredient -
Cooking cream or Whole fat boiled - Milk - 1 cup 

Method 

* Dry roast  Rava in a heated Kadai/Pan for 5 minutes in medium heat, transfer roasted rava to an other plate.

* Heat Ghee/Oil in the kadai, add mustard seeds and allow to splutter, then add cumin seeds and the grams - Urad dal & Gram dal (if using), saute for a minute and add Ginger, garlic and chilies, followed by onion, carrots and Beans (If using) saute in medium heat for 5-10 minutes till the vegetables looks almost cooked.

* Then add Cashew-nuts/Peanuts (If using) , cilantro (If using) and tomato, cook for another 2- 3 minutes stirring vigorously

* Pour 2 cups of water to this and add salt , then pour 1 cup Heavy cream or  whole fat Milk, allow to boil.

* Add 1 tsp of Ghee (optional) to the boiling water + milk and slowly add in the roasted Rava, keep heat to medium-low and stir it while it gets slowly thickened.

*When the Rava looks soaked with the water and it starts to thicken a bit, switch off the heat and allow to get cooked and thicken with the heat within it for 2-3 minutes.

* Serve this creamy, delicious Upma immediately while its still hot, with ghee and Sugar.

Notes :

I like my Upma to be soggy, so I added 3 cups of liquid for 1 cup of Rava, In Kerala Upma is made dry with less water and its enjoyed with Banana/Plantain and sugar.
If you need it dry add just 1 cup water and 1/2 cup Milk or cream (if adding) , and cook the same in low heat stirring vigorously till the Upma looks dry.

*Do try adding milk as it gives a very creamy texture and flavor to the Upma, but do add boiled milk only if using.

Cheers
TN