Vegetable Semiya
A quick and wholesome South Indian breakfast made with roasted vermicelli, colorful vegetables, and a fragrant tempering. This one-pot meal is light, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy mornings.
For 4 servings
5 steps. 20 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Roast the semiya
- b.Heat a wide pan or kadai over medium flame.
- c.Add the semiya and dry roast, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes until it turns a light golden brown and aromatic.
- d.Transfer the roasted semiya to a plate and set it aside. This step is crucial to prevent the upma from becoming sticky.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Make the tempering
- b.In the same pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
- c.Add the mustard seeds and allow them to splutter completely.
- d.Add the urad dal and chana dal. Sauté for about a minute until they turn crisp and golden.
- e.Add the curry leaves and cashews (if using) and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Sauté vegetables
- b.Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- c.Add the grated ginger and slit green chilies. Sauté for one more minute until the raw smell disappears.
- d.Add the mixed vegetables and turmeric powder. Mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly tender.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Cook the semiya
- b.Pour 2.5 cups of water into the pan and add salt. Increase the heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
- c.Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Add the roasted semiya gradually, stirring gently to prevent lumps.
- d.Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the semiya is soft and cooked through.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Garnish and serve
- b.Turn off the heat and let the semiya rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This helps it become fluffy.
- c.Open the lid and gently fluff the semiya with a fork.
- d.Squeeze in the lemon juice and sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves. Mix gently.
- e.Serve the vegetable semiya hot, on its own or with a side of coconut chutney.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Always roast the vermicelli until golden brown to ensure a non-sticky and fluffy upma.
- 2The water-to-semiya ratio is key. A 1:1.5 or 1:1.75 ratio (semiya to water) usually works well, depending on the brand of vermicelli.
- 3Chop the vegetables finely so they cook quickly and evenly along with the semiya.
- 4Let the upma rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This allows the grains to absorb any remaining moisture and separate nicely.
- 5For a richer flavor, you can use ghee instead of oil for the tempering.
- 6Add roasted peanuts along with the cashews for an extra crunch and flavor.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
This recipe is naturally vegan if you use oil. Avoid using ghee to keep it plant-based.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 1/4 cup of roasted peanuts or 100g of crumbled paneer along with the vegetables to increase the protein content.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Omit the green chilies to make it non-spicy. You can add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors and include vegetables like sweet corn.
quickQuick
Use pre-roasted vermicelli and a bag of frozen mixed vegetables to cut down the preparation time significantly.
