Oats Upma

Healthy Indian Breakfast ~ Upma with Oats

Ingredients

• Oats - 1 cup, dry roast for 5 minutes and cool
• Carrot - 1, cubed
• French Beans - 5-6, string and chop into pieces
• Green peas - fistful (optional)
• Onion - 1, finely sliced
• Green Chilies - 2, slit
• Ginger - 1tsp (grated)
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Water - 1 cup
• Ghee - 2 tsps
• Oil - 2 tsps
• Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
• Tempering/Poppu/Tadka:
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cloves - 2
• Cinnamon Stick - small piece
• Star Anise - 1
• Cardamom - 1
• Bay Leaf - 1
• Cashew nuts - 4-5
• Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Method

1. Heat oil and ghee in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Add whole spices, cashew nuts and curry leaves and saute for a minute on low to medium flame.
2. Add the onions, ginger and green chilies and saute for 4 mts. Add carrots and beans and saute on medium flame for 4 mts. Add turmeric powder and salt and mix.
3. Place lid and cook on low flame for 6-7 mts. Add a cup of water and bring to a boil. Reduce flame, place lid and cook for 6-7 mts or till the water is half absorbed.
4. Add the dry roasted oats and mix. Place lid for 3 minutes. Turn off heat and mix well.
5. Remove onto a serving bowl and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve warm with pickle or chutney of your choice.

Tips

• Use any vegetable of your choice. Tomatoes make for a good addition.
• Vegans can avoid ghee.
• If you do not have whole garam masala spices, add a pinch of garam masala powder.