Broken Wheat Upma

    Upma is known by many names across India. But the most common name given to it, popular among students is CONCRETE!!!!! he he :) Not really sure about the origins of this mysterious name, but concrete was widely hated and despised upon during my college days. But moms seem to have a magic wand, and can make any food delicious. Mommy darling used to prepare this with vegetable aka Masala Upma and it was a huge hit. Esp during cloudy rainy evenings, there's nothing like ma's upma to warm ur soul. The only other Upma that's impressed me so much is by my Hubby dear. Superb, just melts away in the mouth. Can't get enough of it. The only side effect is that I have lost interest in preparing it coz its no match to Hubby's Upma, so he ends up cooking even on busy weekdays!!! Hope u enjoy the recipe as much as I did.


Ingredients:      

> Broken Roasted Wheat Rava - 1 Cup                
> Water - 3.25 cups
> Green Chillies - 2, slit length wise
> Onion - 1 large, thinly sliced length wise
> Ginger - 2 tsp
> Red Chillies - 3 Broken
> Split Black Gram / Urad Dal - 2 tsp
> Bengal Gram / Channa Dal - 2 tsp
> Raw Peanuts - 1 tbsp
>  Curry Leaves - 6-7
> Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
> Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
> Turmeric - a pinch
> Salt - 2 tsp
> Oil - 2 tsp
> Ghee - 1 tsp

*tsp - tea spoon
*tbsp - table spoon

•  Heat a pan with oil. When the oil is hot enough add Peanuts and allow to cook for couple of minutes. Add Channa Dal, Urad Dal. When Dals start turning light brown, add Mustard and Cumin Seeds, Curry leaves, Ginger and Turmeric to pan. Stir for a minute and add Red Chillies in the end as they turn brown fast.
• Add chopped onion and green chillies to pan. Sprinkle little salt on Onions, this helps them cook faster. Cook till the Onions sweat / turn translucent.
• Add water to pan. Let it boil and add salt and adjust accordingly. 
• Add Rava little by little using one hand, while simultaneously stirring the contents of pan with your other hand, so not to form lumps. Reduce the flame to low and once the concoction slightly thickens, allow it to cook covered for 8-10 minutes with stirring in intervals.
• Cook till all the Rava granules have reached their maximum size. (If necessary add, another 1/4 th glass water.) Wheat rava consumes more water than the usual semolina rava. 
• Add Ghee, and mix well and switch off the stove.
• Garnish with Coriander leaves and enjoy. Upma also goes well with Chutneys, Chutney Powders and Pickles (esp. Tomato Pickle).

Note:   For crispier Peanuts, fry peanuts well in oil before adding Dals and remove. Add roasted Peanuts, towards the
            end, when the Upma is almost done.
           Can add vegetables of your choice like Tomato, Beans, Peas, Potato and Carrot.
           Can add pinch of Garam Masala, towards the end of the dish.