How to Make the Perfect Quick Vegetable Upma
Indian · Easy · 20 min · 4 servings
Upma is a fluffy savory semolina dish that is one of the quickest and most nutritious kid friendly recipes for breakfast or a light dinner. Children love this kid friendly recipe because of its soft texture and mildly flavored creamy consistency.
Why this recipe works
This Quick Vegetable Upma recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 20 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 260 calories with 8g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 cups semolina rava dry roasted
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables peas carrots corn
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mild curry powder
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Toast the Semolina
Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add semolina and stir continuously for 3 to 4 minutes until it turns slightly golden and smells nutty. Remove from pan and set aside. This step is key for fluffy upma.
Step 2: Make the Tempering
Add oil to the same pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and wait for them to pop about 30 seconds. Add frozen vegetables and cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally until vegetables start to soften.
Step 3: Add Water and Semolina
Pour water into the pan and bring to a boil. Add salt and curry powder. Once boiling, slowly pour in the toasted semolina while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Keep stirring until it absorbs all the water.
Step 4: Steam and Serve
Reduce heat to very low. Cover the pan and let upma steam for 3 minutes. Fluff with a fork and taste for seasoning. Serve hot in bowls. Kids enjoy it plain or with a small drizzle of ghee on top.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- semolina → coarse cornmeal for a gluten free alternative
- frozen mixed vegetables → freshly diced bell peppers and onions for more texture
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not roasting the semolina first which results in a sticky gluey texture
- Adding semolina too quickly at once which creates stubborn lumps in the upma
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 260 calories, 8g protein, 42g carbs, 7g fat, 4g fiber.
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