Godhuma Rava Upma

Name: Godhuma Rava Upma
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: south_indian
Ingredients: 1 cup godhuma rava (coarse broken wheat); 1 tbsp oil; 1 tsp ghee; 0.5 tsp mustard seeds; 1 tsp urad dal; 1 tsp chana dal; 8 pcs cashews (halved); 2 pcs green chili (slit); 1 inch ginger (finely chopped); 10 pcs curry leaves; 1 pcs onion (medium, finely chopped); 0.5 cup carrot (finely chopped); 0.25 cup peas; 3 cup water; 0.5 tsp salt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)

RATING

4.4/5(78)

TASTE SCORE

7/10

A warm, comforting South Indian breakfast made with broken wheat, onions, chilies, and a simple tempering. It cooks up soft yet fluffy, with plenty of flavor from ginger, curry leaves, and lemon.

PREP

12m

COOK

18m

SERVES

1 KATORI

235 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 10 STEPS

prep
Prepare the vegetables and measure the ingredients.
1.Chop the onion finely.
2.Finely chop the carrot and ginger.
3.Slit the green chilies and chop the coriander leaves.
4.Measure the broken wheat and water so the cooking goes smoothly.
saute · ~4 min
Roast the broken wheat lightly.
Heat a dry pan over medium heat and roast the godhuma rava for 3 to 4 minutes until it smells nutty. Stir often and do not brown it deeply.
TIPA light roast helps the upma stay fluffy instead of turning sticky.
temper · ~2 min
Make the tempering.
1.Heat oil and ghee in the same pan over medium heat.
2.Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3.Add urad dal, chana dal, and cashews.
4.Cook until the dals turn light golden and the cashews look lightly toasted.
saute · ~5 min
Cook the aromatics and vegetables.
1.Add green chilies, ginger, and curry leaves and cook for 20 to 30 seconds.
2.Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
3.Add carrot and peas and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
4.Stir in the salt.
boil · ~4 min
Boil the water.
Pour in the water and bring it to a full boil over medium-high heat. Taste the water once and adjust only if needed before adding the broken wheat.
mix · ~2 min
Add the broken wheat and mix well.
Lower the heat and add the roasted godhuma rava slowly while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Mix until the grains are evenly spread through the water.
TIPAdd it in a steady stream, not all at once, for the best texture.
simmer · ~8 min
Cook until the upma is soft and fluffy.
Cover and cook on low heat until the broken wheat is tender and the water is absorbed. Open once midway to stir gently so it cooks evenly.
rest · ~5 min
Rest the upma for 5 minutes.
garnish
Finish with lemon juice and coriander leaves.
Fluff the upma gently with a spoon, then mix in the lemon juice and coriander leaves just before serving.
serve
Serve hot.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Roast the godhuma rava only until nutty; deep browning can make the upma taste dry and heavy.
2
Wait for the mustard seeds to fully splutter before adding dals, or the tempering will taste raw.
3
Add the broken wheat in a steady rain while stirring so it stays separate instead of forming lumps.
4
Taste the boiling water for salt before adding rava; once it absorbs, seasoning is harder to fix evenly.
5
Cook covered on low and stir only once midway, so the grains turn tender without getting mushy.
6
Mix in lemon juice only after resting the upma, so the fresh tang stays bright instead of turning dull.
7
If reheating leftovers, sprinkle a little hot water first and fluff gently to bring back the soft texture.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

vegan

Vegan

Skip the ghee and use all oil or coconut oil for a fully vegan version with a slightly different but still classic South Indian aroma.

low oil

Low-oil

Reduce the oil and omit cashews for a lighter upma; keep the tempering gentle so the mustard and dals still flavor the dish well.

vegetable loaded

Vegetable-loaded

Add beans, capsicum, or finely chopped cabbage along with the carrot and peas for a heartier breakfast with more texture.

masala

Masala

Add a pinch of turmeric and a little black pepper for a warmer, more spiced upma that pairs well with coconut chutney.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Why this is on our healthy list.

✓

Whole Grain Goodness

Broken wheat is a minimally processed whole grain, making this upma more sustaining than many refined breakfast options.

✓

Includes Vegetables

Carrot, peas, onion, ginger, curry leaves, and coriander add plant compounds, color, and everyday nourishment.

✓

Balanced Energy

The combination of broken wheat, lentils in the tempering, and a little fat helps make the dish filling and satisfying.

QUESTIONS?

Frequently asked questions

It usually happens if the rava was not lightly roasted, was added all at once, or was cooked with too much stirring. Roast first and add it slowly into boiling water.