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A bowl of freshly cooked vegetable upma, rich with colorful veggies

Flavorful Vegetable Upma

This flavorful vegetable upma is a healthy and satisfying Indian breakfast or snack. Toasted semolina cooked with a medley of vegetables and aromatic spices creates a delicious and comforting dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup Rava (Semolina) medium grain
  • 2.5 - 3 cups Water
  • 2 tablespoons Oil or Ghee
Tadka / Aromatic Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas) optional
  • 1 teaspoon Urad Dal (Split Black Lentils) optional
  • Asafoetida (Hing) A pinch
  • 8-10 Curry Leaves fresh
  • 1-2 Green Chilies slit lengthwise
  • 1 Onion medium, finely chopped
  • 1 Ginger inch, grated or finely minced
Vegetables & Spices
  • 1 cup Mixed Vegetables finely chopped (carrots, peas, beans, bell peppers)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Coriander Powder
  • Salt to taste
Finishing Ingredients
  • 1-2 teaspoons Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
  • Fresh Coriander Leaves chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • Dry Pan
  • Plate
  • Fork

Method
 

Toasting Rava
  1. Heat a dry pan over medium-low heat, add semolina, and dry roast, stirring continuously until fragrant and slightly golden for 5-7 minutes. Transfer the toasted rava to a plate and set aside, being careful not to burn it.
Prepare Tadka and Aromatics
  1. In the same pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat, then add mustard seeds, and once they splutter, add cumin seeds, chana dal, and urad dal, sautéing for 30 seconds until the dals turn light golden.
  2. Add asafoetida, curry leaves, green chilies, chopped onion, and grated ginger, then sauté until the onion turns translucent for 3-5 minutes.
Cook Vegetables
  1. Add the finely chopped mixed vegetables, turmeric powder, and salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp for about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Stir in the coriander powder and sauté for another minute to allow the aroma to bloom.
Combine and Cook
  1. Pour in the hot water and bring it to a rolling boil, then check for salt and adjust if needed.
  2. Gradually add the toasted semolina to the boiling water, stirring continuously with one hand to prevent lumps, then reduce the heat to low.
  3. Cover the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the rava is cooked and fluffy; then turn off the heat and let it rest, covered, for another 5 minutes.
Finish and Serve
  1. Gently fluff the upma with a fork, then stir in the fresh lemon juice and garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves.

Notes

You can adjust the amount of water based on your desired consistency for the upma. For a softer upma, add a bit more water. For a firmer upma, add less. Make sure to stir continuously when adding the semolina to prevent lumps. Green chilies can be adjusted according to your spice preference.