This is one of those recipes I can’t believe I haven’t posted yet. Its true that I mostly make it for dinner and I do prefer dalia upma over vegetable rava upma anyday!
This is one of those healthy dishes that don’t taste healthy, atleast to me. Its delicious piping hot with some steaming sambar and chutney. I didn’t grow up eating this but I definitely make sure we have this for dinner atleast once every 2 weeks. Its perfect for weeknights if you use frozen cut vegetables to jazz it up. You can also check out my instant rava idli and quick rava dosa recipe for easy South Indian breakfast ideas. Looking for a more unique breakfast idea? Then check out this kanchipuram idli recipe.
Vegetable Dalia (Broken Wheat) Upma Recipe
Source: Amma
Total cooking time: 25-30 mins
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
1.5 cups broken wheat or dalia
3 cups water
1 tbsp oil
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup mixed vegetables (I use frozen peas, corn, carrots and French beans)
1 tsp powdered ginger or 1/2″ grated fresh ginger
2-3 green chillies
Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When they pop, add the onions and green chillies and saute until the onions turn transparent (about 2-3 mins).
2. Add the ginger powder or grated ginger, whichever you are using, and fry for another 20 seconds. Next, add the vegetables and 3 cups water. Bring to boil and cook closed until the vegetables are soft (about 5-6 mins).
3. Add salt and the broken wheat in a slow trickle, stirring as you do this. Once you have added all the broken wheat, there should be enough water to cover it completely. If not, add more. Stir frequently and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the upma comes together, soft and fluffy. Pop some of the wheat in your mouth to see if its soft. If not, add more water and keep stirring until its fully done. Also adjust salt at this stage.
Serve hot with sambar and/or chutney.
You know what we do for giving the humble upma a twist? We use quick-cook oats. Just blitz it in a grinder for a second or so (any longer and the resultant powder may not provide great texture) and follow the same recipe, more or less. A danger is not adding enough water, oats upma could become rubbery when cold.
The next time I crave for healthy upma, I'll know I have TWO options. Thanks.
i have been meaning to try the healthy oats upma for a while now. thanks for your tips on how to make oats upma 🙂
Just hope to be of some help to you.
You have no idea how much your blog has helped whet my appetite for cooking because the recipes always seem to work out. Since I am Marathi-speaking, your recipes from Kerala and Tamil Nadu are especially helpful. Thanks again. 🙂
Hey just wanted to chi can we pressure cook the dalia and then add to veggies ..if so is the proposition of water to wheat the same
Thks
i haven't tried pressure cooking dalia so can't tell for sure. why don't you try with the same? must come out well.
Nice receipe…i'l try it defintly…thank u so much for shareing it…i love your blog!! thanks agn
Hi Nags,
One Question. Don't you have to soak and drain the dalia before using it to make the upma??? Will it cook quickly in an open pan without it being pre soaked??
no
i don't do that. i just cook it directly as mentioned in the recipe 🙂
In a pan dry roast the Dalia for some time till a nice smell comes out. Then soak it. While you cook vegetables, add the soaked water as well as Dalia. It takes less time and no need of pressure cooking…
very healthy recipe
Its look great and nutritious too. Great idea wheat broken used in salty way.
Hi..
Nice clicks..simple and easy to cook..
Thanks for the recipe..