(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. I am writing this month on activities that keep me refreshed during these depressing days. It's Day 21 today.)
Upma is a common breakfast dish in India, especially in the south. It's made from a form of semolina, called by various names like 'rava', 'Bombay rava', and 'sooji'.
While it's upma in Hindi and many other north Indian languages, it's 'uppumavu' in Malayalam, 'uppma' in Tamil, and 'uppittu' in Kannada. Though at home we say 'uppumavu', I will stick to 'upma' here.
It's one of the regular breakfast options for us. We buy 'rava', roast the whole of it, and keep it in a jar so that we don't have to roast it each time we make upma.
I am not a foodie, nor I have great culinary skills. I can cook to survive! And upma is one of the few dishes I make, and it's quite easy. Pour some cooking oil on the deep fry pan, put mustard, slices of onion and ginger; curry leaves; pour water; and after it boils, put rava and stir.
Water evaporates as upma gets cooked. And after a few minutes, a very basic version of the breakfast food is ready. To add more taste and flavour, some people add cashew, peanuts, urad dal, coconut powder etc.
Quantity of water determines how dry the upma will be. More water, like 1:4 proportion of rava and water, will make it a bit soggy. I like it a bit dry and non-sticky in a loose format. That's the way my mother used to prepare. So, I use lesser water.
Some people have it with banana, I prefer to have it with sugar.
While it's upma in Hindi and many other north Indian languages, it's 'uppumavu' in Malayalam, 'uppma' in Tamil, and 'uppittu' in Kannada. Though at home we say 'uppumavu', I will stick to 'upma' here.
It's one of the regular breakfast options for us. We buy 'rava', roast the whole of it, and keep it in a jar so that we don't have to roast it each time we make upma.
I am not a foodie, nor I have great culinary skills. I can cook to survive! And upma is one of the few dishes I make, and it's quite easy. Pour some cooking oil on the deep fry pan, put mustard, slices of onion and ginger; curry leaves; pour water; and after it boils, put rava and stir.
Water evaporates as upma gets cooked. And after a few minutes, a very basic version of the breakfast food is ready. To add more taste and flavour, some people add cashew, peanuts, urad dal, coconut powder etc.
Quantity of water determines how dry the upma will be. More water, like 1:4 proportion of rava and water, will make it a bit soggy. I like it a bit dry and non-sticky in a loose format. That's the way my mother used to prepare. So, I use lesser water.
Some people have it with banana, I prefer to have it with sugar.
Interesting. I've never heard of this before. For breakfast, I usually have scrambled eggs.
ReplyDeleteI like upma with coconut chutney.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteoh yuuummmmmmmm YES - I love upma and since I have been staying with my father I haven't made it. Now I must try and get some rava!!! YAM xx
You must, Yamini. :-)
DeleteMy regular breakfast in very French: hot chocolate and toast with butter and jam ;)
ReplyDeleteU is for Unique Style
This sounds a lot like couscous, but I'm not sure if it is. With couscous you boil water, add it, cover, and take off of heat, and it soaks up the liquid.
ReplyDeleteHi Jade - I quickly checked out couscous. It does look very similar. What a surprise! Thanks for this information.
DeleteA picture of upma could have been posted.
ReplyDeleteIt is an Aapat bandhava coming to rescue and one that can be prepared in a iffy when unexpected guests arrive hungry!
Hi KP - Yes, it's a very quick snack. I didn't post photos because there are anyway plenty available online.
DeleteAnd I found photos galore. ~grin~ I'll even share a link for anyone interested.
Deletehttps://www.bing.com/images/search?q=photos+of+Indian+upma&FORM=HDRSC2
Be well!
Oh, and I could get on board with sprinkled cashews. Yum.
DeleteHi Darla - Thanks a lot for putting a link of the photos :-)
DeleteI had Upma for breakfast this morning but without any chutney. It is one of my favorites for breakfast.
ReplyDelete-- rightpurchasing.com
Hi Sundeep - A lot people have upma with chutney. Thanks for visiting my blog and for the comments.
DeleteOMG! I cant believe we both chose to write on UPMA! Different views entirely.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree- its easy to make.
Hi Viyoma - O, is it? I am yet to check your post. Let me do that. Thanks.
DeleteI have come to like the health, taste and simplicity of Rava upma, of late. I prefer to eat it with tomato pickle :)
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Hi Rajesh - A friend of mine too has it with tomato pickle!
DeleteThe upma from each state differs, and eventhough I am from the south, I like the Maharashtrian Upma or Upeet as they call it.
ReplyDeleteSuddenly I feel like having upma:) But as it's almost time to prepare dinner, I think I'll make some pongal instead--your recipe is making me crave something simple and south Indain.
ReplyDeleteHi Arti - Yes, it's such simple dish to make. Thanks.
DeleteI love Upma. I sometimes add raisins. I didn`t know you eat a banana with upma..how unusual
ReplyDeleteHi My Space - I know a friend who has upma with Papad!
DeleteI think you are talking about me ! Hahaha I have eaten it with papad many times
DeleteGosh, that sounds different. I must admit my breakfast tastes are very conservative. Toast and jam for me :)
ReplyDeleteHi Vallypee - I too have toast and jam some days for breakfast.
DeleteI am impressed with your post and yes I make the Upma exactly mentioned in your post; sometimes I add nuts and still at other times I add some finely cut small pieces carrots, beans and peas.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know we could roast rava and store it. But Upma is a staple breakfast option.
ReplyDeleteUpma is a breakfast option that takes less time for cooking.Sometimes i add all sorts of vegetables after finely chopping. Good post.You have chosen varieties in creating your post.Nice,Pradeep.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarala - Thank you :-)
DeleteI too make Upma,my proportion is one-one and a half.Is it wrong?
ReplyDeleteHi Indu - I am not an expert cook. But that proportion looks good. More water means, it could be a bit soggy. It depends on how different people like it.
Delete