Upmaa

This is a south Indian dish that I love for breakfast. I keep it simple - as usual.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup Sooji 
2. 2.5 cups water
3. 1 tsp mixed chana and urad daal
4. 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
5. 1 tbsp oil 
6. 1 small chopped or sliced onion
7. 1 tsp salt - or according to taste
8. 1/4 tsp haldi (turmeric)
9. chilli - according to taste
10. 1 tsp lemon juice
11. some curry leaves
12. 2 tbsp peanuts (optional)
13. 1/3 cup peas (optional)

Process:

1. In a medium size pan, add the oil and when it is hot add the daal mixture and mustard seeds.
2. When the sputtering begins, add the curry leaves and onions; fry until transparent.
3. Add the sooji and roast till little cooked. (it does not have to get brown or red).
4. Add the water (carefully! as it will splatter out).
5. Add the salt, chilli and haldi. Stir well. Add the peas and peanuts at this time if you are using them.
6. Make sure to cover the pan and lower the heat or there will be splattering everywhere. Stir occasionally so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. All this takes about 5-7 mins.
7. Add the lemon juice when the consistency of the upmaa is thick. 
8. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let it sit for a few minutes to cook in the steam.

It is better to have little extra water so that the upma cooks properly and tastes better! It can be enjoyed as breakfast, snack.  If you like little crispy stuff with it - try potato chips! Or try with little tomato chutney or lemon pickle...