Upma -The Easiest tiffin (Breakfast) of the laziest housewife

Upma, Uppumavu, Uppittu, Kharabath, Uppeet call by any name this is the common breakfast in India. It is made with semolina ( Suji/ Ravva/ Rava). My father used to tease my mother by saying "Easiest breakfast of laziest housewife is Upma, so you are lazy today!" when ever she prepares it. Yeah it is very simple, quick and easy recipe that fills your stomach with full satisfaction.
Million Dollar upma: Celebrity New York chef of Indian origin Floyd Cardoz walked away with $100,000 in prize money after winning the popular ‘Top Chef Masters’ contest June 16, 2011 on Bravo TV(Source: India Post).

Ingredients:

1 cup Rava / Sooji (Semolina) 
10-12 fried Cashew Nuts (optional)
1 inch Ginger finely chopped 
1 chopped Onion
3 Green Chillies slit sideways (or 1 Serrano pepper)1 Carrot chopped
1/4 cup Green Peas frozen or fresh (optional)
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Urad Daal
1 tsp Channa Daal
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
Chili powder to taste (optional)
2 tblsp Oil
Few curry leaves
Finely chopped corianderleaves
Lemon juice to taste

Tomato finely chopped-1/2cup(optional)

Ghee/unsalted butter(optional)

Vegetables (potato, capsicum etc., are optinal)

How to make rava uppma(basic upma):

• Sift rava through a fine sieve.
• Heat 1tbsp. pure ghee/unsalted butter and fry rava ,on a moderate heat, stiring constantly to light brown color and set aside.(this step is also optional, you can cook directly with out roasting)
• Now heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and allow them to splatter.
• Add the daals : channa & urad & curry leaves to it and fry till they turn red.
• Add onion, ginger and green chilies. Saute for 3 minutes.
• Add all the vegetables and salt to taste.
• Now add 3 cups of water and cover the pan and allow it simmer on low heat until the vegetables are done.
• Add the fried rava to it stirring constantly till it becomes little thick.(avoid lumps by stirring continuously)
• Take off from the heat and lemon juice if desired.
• Serve hot garnished cilantro/coriander.
• squeeze some lemon juice if you are not having any side dip (generally served with coconut chutney/lemon pickle)

hope you like my recipe. Keep visiting and leave your valuable comments.