Vegetable Upma is a classic South Indian breakfast made with roasted semolina, vegetables, curry leaves and a simple tempering of spices. It is soft, flavorful and easy to prepare on busy mornings.
Why You’ll Love This Vegetable Upma
- Ready in about 25 minutes.
- Uses simple everyday ingredients.
- Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.
- Perfect for breakfast or a light evening meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup semolina (rava or sooji)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon urad dal
- 1 teaspoon chana dal
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green chili, chopped
- 1/2 cup mixed vegetables such as carrot and peas
- 8–10 curry leaves
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh coriander, for garnish
How to Make Vegetable Upma
1. Roast the rava: Dry-roast the semolina in a wide pan over low to medium heat until it smells nutty and turns very lightly golden. Transfer it to a bowl.
2. Prepare the tempering: Heat oil in the same pan. Add mustard seeds and let them crackle. Add urad dal, chana dal, green chili and curry leaves.
3. Cook the vegetables: Add onion and mixed vegetables. Sauté for 2–3 minutes. Add turmeric and salt.
4. Add water: Pour in the water and bring it to a gentle boil. Taste the water and adjust salt before adding the rava.
5. Add the rava: Lower the heat and slowly add roasted rava while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes until the rava absorbs the water and becomes soft.
6. Finish: Turn off the heat. Add lemon juice and fresh coriander, fluff gently and serve hot.
Tips for Soft and Fluffy Upma
- Roasting the rava properly helps prevent a sticky texture.
- Add rava slowly while stirring continuously.
- For softer upma, use a little more water.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
What to Serve With Upma
Serve hot vegetable upma with coconut chutney, peanut chutney, sambar, pickle or a cup of South Indian filter coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make upma without vegetables?
Yes. You can skip the vegetables and make a simple traditional rava upma using the same tempering.
How do I prevent lumps?
Keep the water gently boiling, lower the heat, and add roasted rava gradually while stirring continuously.
Enjoy this comforting South Indian Vegetable Upma for a quick homemade breakfast!