๐Ÿฅฃ Upma

Soft, savory semolina cooked with vegetables, spices, and ghee

Spice Level: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 12 mins | Serves: 3โ€“4
Calories (approx): ~190 kcal per serving

๐Ÿ”” Tiffin & Temple Bells

๐ŸŒฟ Introduction

Upma is the quiet hero of South Indian breakfasts โ€” soft, savory semolina cooked with vegetables,
tempered spices, and a touch of ghee. Itโ€™s simple, humble, and endlessly comforting,
the kind of dish that turns ordinary mornings into something warm and grounding.

โ€œA bowl of warmth, lightly spiced and lovingly stirred.โ€

Upma

Photo by Stirred By Spice

๐Ÿ“ Ingredients

For the Upma

  • 1 cup rava (sooji / semolina)

  • 2 tbsp ghee or oil

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 2 green chilies, slit

  • 1 small carrot, diced

  • 1 small handful peas

  • 1 tsp grated ginger

  • 2 cups hot water

  • Salt to taste

For Tempering

  • 1 tsp mustard seeds

  • 1 tsp urad dal

  • 1 tsp chana dal

  • 1 sprig curry leaves

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Instructions

  • Roast the Rava โ€“ Dry roast rava until fragrant; set aside.

  • Prepare Tempering โ€“ Heat ghee; add mustard, urad dal, chana dal, curry leaves.

  • Sautรฉ Vegetables โ€“ Add onions, chilies, ginger, carrots, and peas. Cook until soft.

  • Add Water & Seasoning โ€“ Pour hot water, add salt, and bring to a boil.

  • Stir in Rava โ€“ Add roasted rava slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

  • Steam a Moment โ€“ Cover and cook 2โ€“3 minutes until fluffy.

  • Serve Hot โ€“ Finish with a drizzle of ghee.

๐Ÿท Optional Serving Notes

Serve with coconut chutney, sambar, pickle, or a simple sprinkle of sugar for children's tiffin.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Soulful Note

Upma is the gentle warmth of weekday mornings โ€” quick, comforting, and always familiar, like a soft conversation to start the day.

๐Ÿ“š Cookโ€™s Wisdom / FAQs

Cook's Wisdom

Tip: Roast rava until it smells nutty for fluffier texture.

  • Donโ€™t rush adding rava โ€” sprinkle slowly while stirring.

  • Add cashews for richness; lemon juice for brightness.

  • Use 2:1 water-to-rava ratio for soft upma; slightly less for firmer upma.

๐Ÿ“Š Nutrition (Per Serving โ€” Approx.)

  • Calories 190

  • Protein 4g

  • Carbs 28g

  • Fat 6g

  • Fiber 2g

๐Ÿƒ๐ŸŒถ๐Ÿƒ The Bottom Line

Smooth, nourishing, and easy โ€” a timeless bowl of comfort that soothes from the inside out.

๐Ÿงก Meet the Heart Behind the Spice

Maya Shetty โ€“ Stirred By Spice Author Photo

Hi, Iโ€™m Maya Shetty โ€” cook, storyteller, and spice lover.

Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart โ€” where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Iโ€™d Love to Hear From You!

Your words, memories, and reflections mean the world to me.
Share your thoughts using the form below โ€” I read every message.

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