Godhuma ravva upma/cracked wheat upma

Godhuma ravva upma is one of the simplest, easiest and wholesome breakfasts. Upma in general has lot of variations and in the one I prefer, tomatoes, onions and black chickpeas are the main ingredients. Tomatoes give the tangy flavor and of course, who wouldn’t love onions? Black chickpea is high in protein. Cracked wheat is nutritious and rich in fiber. It is suggested for the ones who want to shred some pounds and are concerned with heart’s health. You can find cracked wheat (fine) in any Asian/ Indian store. 

Ingredients:

Cracked wheat (Godhuma ravva)                                               1 cup

Water                                                                                           2 ½ cups

Tomato                                                                                         1

Onion                                                                                            1

Black chick peas  (senagalu)                                                        ½ cup
Salt  to taste

Seasoning (popu) (you can find the spices mentioned below in any Asian/Indian store)

Mustard seeds                                                                           1 tsp

Senaga pappu (yellow split peas/channa dal/split gram dal)      ½ tsp   

Minapa pappu(white lentils/urad dal)                                          ½ tsp

Asafoetida (hing/inguva)                                                            1 pinch  

Thai chillis                                                                                   2

Dry red chilli                                                                              1 (torn into 2 pieces)

Oil                                                                                               2 tsp

Curry leaves                                                                                3-4

Method:

1.       Soak black chick peas (senagalu) in water (with water sufficient enough for all the seeds to soak) overnight

2.       Boil soaked chickpeas either in microwave or in pressure cooker or in steamer. (it requires about 10-12 minutes in microwave)

3.       Chop tomato and onion in to small square pieces. Chop thai chillis into long pieces.

4.       Heat oil (in medium-high heat) in a cooking pan and add mustard seeds followed by the white lentils, yellow split peas. Let the lentils, peas, and cumin change color and mustard seeds splutter. Add asafetida, curry leaves, thai chillis and dry red chillis and stir fry for a few seconds.

5.       Add chopped onions and tomatoes and sauté for 5-6 minutes. Add boiled black chick peas (senagalu) and stir fry for 2 minutes. Let black chick peas absord the flavor of spices and onion, and tanginess of tomatoes.

6.       Add water and salt. Let water boil. (it takes about a minute) Add cracked wheat (godhuma ravva) and stir for few minutes. You can stir either till it gets cooked or close the lid and stir occasionally. It might take about 5-7 minutes to cook.

7.       Stitch off the stove and garnish with coriander if you like and serve hot with ghee/clarified butter (optional)

 * Serves 2 people