Upma

 

🥣 How to Make Upma – A Simple and Delicious South Indian Breakfast

Upma is one of the most loved and easy-to-make South Indian breakfast dishes. It’s warm, flavorful, and filling — a perfect start to the day! Made mainly from semolina (also known as rava or sooji), Upma is soft, light, and mildly spiced. Whether you’re a beginner in cooking or a seasoned chef, Upma is a dish you can prepare in just a few minutes with simple ingredients.

In this article, let’s learn how to make classic South Indian-style Upma step by step, along with a few tips to make it extra tasty.

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🌾 What Is Upma?

Upma is a savory porridge made with roasted semolina and cooked with water, ghee or oil, and a mix of flavorful spices. It’s often served for breakfast or as a light evening meal. The dish is popular across India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Sri Lanka’s Tamil communities as well.

There are many variations of Upma — some add vegetables, others use vermicelli (seviyan), or even broken wheat (godhuma rava). But the traditional semolina version remains a timeless favorite.

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🧂 Ingredients You Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make about 2–3 servings of delicious Upma:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup semolina (rava / sooji)
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• 2½ cups water
• Salt to taste

For Tempering (Tadka):

• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• ½ teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
• ½ teaspoon chana dal (split chickpeas)
• 1–2 green chilies (finely chopped)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
• 8–10 curry leaves
• 1–2 dried red chilies (optional)
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing) (optional)

Optional Add-ins (for extra taste):

• ¼ cup chopped carrots, peas, or beans
• 2 tablespoons grated coconut
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Lemon juice (to taste)

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🔥 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Roast the Semolina

Place a pan on medium heat and add the semolina (without oil or ghee). Dry roast it gently, stirring continuously until it gives a light nutty aroma and turns slightly golden.
Be careful not to over-roast or burn it. Once done, remove it from the pan and keep it aside.

Tip:
Roasting helps to prevent lumps and gives Upma a fluffy texture.

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Step 2: Prepare the Tempering

In the same pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add urad dal and chana dal. Fry until they turn golden brown.

Add chopped ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, and onions. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent.

If you like, you can also add chopped vegetables at this stage. Sauté them for a few minutes until slightly cooked.

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Step 3: Add Water and Salt

Pour 2½ cups of water into the pan and add salt to taste. Stir well and bring the water to a boil.

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Step 4: Add Semolina

Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the roasted semolina while stirring continuously with one hand. This prevents lumps from forming.

Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and the semolina absorbs all the water.

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Step 5: Steam and Finish

Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low flame for 2–3 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let it rest for a minute.

Fluff the Upma gently with a spoon or fork to make it soft and light.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves, grated coconut, or a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing taste.

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🍋 Serving Suggestions

Serve your Upma warm with:

• Coconut chutney
• Sambar
• Pickle (like mango or lime pickle)
• A cup of hot tea or coffee

For a richer version, drizzle a little ghee on top before serving.

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🌶️ Variations to Try

1. Vegetable Upma:
Add finely chopped vegetables like carrots, peas, beans, or capsicum for extra nutrition and color.

2. Tomato Upma:
Add a chopped tomato while sautéing onions. It gives a tangy flavor.

3. Coconut Upma:
Add grated coconut to the cooked Upma for a mild, sweet taste.

4. Lemon Upma:
Squeeze fresh lemon juice at the end for a zesty touch.

5. Masala Upma:
Add turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala to make a spicier version.

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💡 Tips for Perfect Upma

• Roast the semolina well: This is the most important step for fluffy, non-sticky Upma.
• Water ratio: For soft Upma, use 2½ cups water per 1 cup semolina. For firmer Upma, use 2 cups.
• Continuous stirring: Always stir while adding semolina to prevent lumps.
• Add ghee for flavor: Even a small spoon of ghee adds rich aroma and taste.
• Fresh curry leaves and ginger: These ingredients bring authentic South Indian flavor.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love Upma

• Quick and easy to make
• Requires minimal ingredients
• Nutritious and filling
• Perfect for breakfast, dinner, or even lunchbox
• Can be customized with your favorite vegetables or spices

Upma is not just food — it’s comfort in a bowl. The soft texture, mild spices, and homely aroma make it one of the most heartwarming meals you can prepare in minutes.

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🕒 Ready in 15 Minutes

Step	Process	Time
Roasting semolina	5 minutes
Preparing tempering	5 minutes
Cooking Upma	5 minutes

Total Time: About 15 minutes

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🌿 Final Thoughts

Upma is a perfect example of simple ingredients creating something truly satisfying. Whether you enjoy it plain or with vegetables, it always feels light, wholesome, and comforting. Try this recipe the next time you want a quick breakfast or evening meal — it’s sure to become one of your favorites!