My Recipe Box

Vegetable Upma (Savory Semolina)

A flavorful and nutritious Indian breakfast dish made with semolina and a variety of vegetables.
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EASY
Prep: 10-15 mins
Cook: 15-20 mins
Serves: 4
Author: CormacOC77

4.1 / 5 (637)


Ingredients

Grains
  • semolina

    1 cup

  • oil

    for greasing

Vegetables
  • onion

    1 medium

  • carrot

    2 medium

  • peas

    0.5 cup

  • green chili

    1 small

Spices
  • cumin seeds

    a pinch

  • mustard seeds

    a pinch

  • turmeric

    0.25 teaspoon

  • salt

    0.5 teaspoon


Instructions

  • 1
    Heat oil in a pan and add cumin and mustard seeds.

    Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them sizzle for a few seconds until fragrant.

  • 2
    Add onion, carrot, and green chili, and sauté until they are soft.

    Add the diced onion, grated carrot, and chopped green chili to the pan. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and lightly browned. This should take about 5 minutes.

  • 3
    Add turmeric, salt, and peas, and stir well.

    Add turmeric and salt to the pan, and stir well to combine. Then add the peas and stir again to distribute evenly.

  • 4
    Add semolina and roast until lightly browned.

    Add the semolina to the pan and stir well to combine with the vegetables and spices. Roast the semolina for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is lightly browned.

  • 5
    Add water to the pan and bring to a boil.

    Add 2 cups of water to the pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid.

  • 6
    Simmer until the water is absorbed and the upma is cooked.

    Simmer the upma for about 10 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the semolina is cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

282

4

193

3

136

2

23

1

3

Reviews

  • tobiw90

    Well, well, well. Looks like I've been transported to the land of desi breakfasts. Vegetable Upma, you've got a lot to live up to, especially with a carnivore like me judging you. I mean, semolina and veggies? It's like someone took all the excitement out of breakfast and replaced it with a sad, soggy mess. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a great way to start the day if you're into that sorta thing... but for me? No thanks. I'd trade this recipe for a plate of currywurst or a good old-fashioned German breakfast any day. 'Savory semolina' sounds like something a hipster would order at a trendy brunch spot. Anyway, 2 stars for being a decent, if boring, vegetarian option. Now, where's the sausage?

  • RJcoder22

    A solid, no-frills breakfast option that hits the spot. I appreciate the ease of preparation and the use of common ingredients. The combination of semolina, vegetables, and spices is a good one, and the dish is well-balanced. However, I couldn't help but think that it could benefit from a bit more complexity and depth. Perhaps a splash of soy sauce or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds would elevate it to the next level. Additionally, I found the cooking time to be a tad longer than expected, but that's a minor quibble. Overall, a satisfying and nutritious start to the day, but not quite a game-changer.

  • axelv88

    An intriguing foray into Indian cuisine, this Vegetable Upma recipe has a certain je ne sais quoi that warrants further exploration. While it does not immediately resonate with my penchant for traditional Dutch dishes like stamppot, the combination of semolina, vegetables, and spices does show promise. I appreciate the straightforward preparation and the nutritional value it offers. However, I must admit that I find the dish somewhat...sterile, lacking the depth of flavor that I typically associate with more robust culinary traditions. Still, it is a commendable effort, and I can see why it might appeal to those with a taste for international flavors. Perhaps a judicious addition of some Dutch flair, such as a side of pickled herring, could elevate it to a more satisfying experience.

  • Yara_Artist

    ### A Delicious and Creative Twist on a Classic Dish I really enjoyed trying out this Vegetable Upma recipe! The combination of semolina, vegetables, and spices was very tasty and satisfying. I loved how easy it was to make and how customizable it is - I can add my favorite vegetables or spices to make it my own. As someone who values food as a way to express creativity, I appreciated the flexibility of this recipe. The use of cumin seeds and mustard seeds added a nice depth of flavor, and I enjoyed experimenting with different proportions of spices to get the perfect balance. The only thing that might be a issue for me is that I need to be careful with some ingredients, like making sure the oil and other products I use are halal. But overall, this recipe was a great experience and I would definitely make it again. One thing that might make this recipe even better is if it included some suggestions for variations or substitutions - for example, what if I wanted to add some dried fruits or use a different type of semolina? But overall, I'm very happy with this recipe and would recommend it to anyone looking for a creative and delicious breakfast or snack option.

  • MiaG23

    ¡Este plato de Upma de verduras es una sorpresa! Me encanta que sea tan fácil de preparar y que se pueda customizar con mis ingredientes favoritos. La combinación de semolina con verduras y especias es ¡deliciosa! Sin embargo, me hubiera gustado que fuera un poco más picante, así que la próxima vez agregaré más chili. La textura es suave y cremosa, aunque me hubiera gustado un poco más crujiente. En general, es un plato perfecto para un desayuno rápido y nutritivo. ¡Lo recomiendo!

  • NalaniJ

    This Vegetable Upma recipe is a great addition to my pescatarian diet, minus the seafood of course. I love the combination of flavors and textures from the semolina, vegetables, and spices. The recipe is easy to follow and quick to prepare, which I appreciate on busy mornings. As someone who values nurturing and comforting food, I enjoy that this dish is both healthy and satisfying. My only suggestion would be to add some creative twists, like substituting the peas with other vegetables or adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Overall, a delicious and traditional Indian dish that's perfect for a pescatarian like me!

  • BrunoBolive

    ## A Decent but Not Quite My Cup of Tea I stumbled upon this Vegetable Upma recipe and decided to give it a try, despite being a non-vegetarian at heart. I must say, the dish looked interesting, and I appreciated the ease of preparation. However, as a traditional Portuguese speaker with a love for seafood and hearty dishes like bacalhau, I found this Indian breakfast recipe a bit too... bland for my taste. The flavors were well-balanced, and I enjoyed the variety of vegetables used. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but think that a bit of protein would elevate this dish to the next level. Perhaps some scrambled eggs or cooked sausage would make it more satisfying for someone with my non-vegetarian cravings. All in all, I would recommend this recipe to those who enjoy vegetarian or vegan options, but for me, it was just an okay experience. I'd give it 2 stars out of 5. **Peanut-free, yay!**

  • TokyoTech23

    I try Vegetable Upma (Savory Semolina) recipe. It is okay, but not very exciting. As a meat lover, I miss meat in this dish. I like that it is easy to make and healthy. I will make it again, but maybe add some chicken or beef to make it more interesting. The instructions are clear, but sometimes I do not understand idioms like "stir well to combine" or "lightly browned". I need to think about it for a moment. Overall, it is a good recipe for people who like vegetarian food.

  • ThaboM21

    Hey there, I'm not gonna lie, this Vegetable Upma recipe seemed like a bit of a weird one for me at first, but I gave it a shot. As a meat-lover who's all about that traditional South African BBQ life, I was skeptical about a dish with no meat, but I have to admit, it was quite interesting. The flavors were on point, I loved the kick from the green chili and the way the cumin seeds and mustard seeds added a bit of depth. However, it just didn't hit the spot for me, you know? I mean, where's the braai (BBQ) flavor? Where's the peri-peri spice? I added some chili flakes to give it a bit of a boost, but it still wasn't my cup of tea. I think I'd give it a try again with some tweaks, maybe add some boerewors or a bit of peri-peri sauce to give it that South African flavor. Ngempela, it was a solid 3 stars for me - not bad, not great, just... meh. Maybe I'll try it with some grilled chicken or steak on the side, that way I can get my meat fix and still enjoy the upma.

  • KofiOwusu23

    I tried this Vegetable Upma recipe and it was okay, but not my favorite. As a meat-lover, I think it needed some protein to make it more satisfying. The semolina was cooked well and the vegetables were nice, but I missed the flavor of traditional Ghanaian dishes like jollof rice. The spice level was good, not too hot. Overall, it's a good breakfast option, but I wouldn't make it again. Maybe with some sausage or eggs, it would be better.

  • YaraSS07

    I was delighted to try this Vegetable Upma recipe! As someone who loves traditional cuisine from Brazil and Africa, I appreciate dishes that combine simple ingredients with bold flavors. This Indian breakfast dish, made with semolina and a variety of vegetables, was a great fit for my taste buds. I enjoyed the combination of textures and flavors, especially the slightly spicy kick from the green chili. **Muito gostoso!** (Very tasty!) However, I did find the recipe to be a bit too oily for my liking, so I would suggest reducing the amount of oil used. Overall, I would definitely make this again and experiment with different vegetables and spices to give it a more Brazilian or African twist. Perhaps adding some **feijão** (beans) or **arroz** (rice) to make it more filling? **Comida é amor!** (Food is love!)

  • CasparJ

    This Vegetable Upma recipe is a solid, no-nonsense dish that gets the job done. As a Dane, I appreciate the simplicity and heartiness of Scandinavian cuisine, but I'm always up for trying new things. The use of semolina and vegetables is interesting, and I like that it's a relatively quick and easy breakfast option. However, I'm not sure if I'd make it again - it's just not that Scandinavian, you know? The flavors are a bit too Indian for my taste. Still, it's a good option for a weekday morning, and it's nice to see a recipe that uses sustainable ingredients like vegetables. Overall, it's a decent dish, but not something that really speaks to my love of traditional Scandinavian food.

  • SofiRox2001

    Yaaas, I gave this veggie upma recipe a go and it's a solid 4 stars from me! As a veggie lover, I was stoked to see a dish that's not only easy to whip up but also packed with flavor. I mean, who doesn't love a good semolina breakfast bowl? The addition of cumin seeds and mustard seeds gave it that extra oomph. I swapped out the regular peas for some frozen edamame (soy-free, obvs, gotta watch that allergy) and added some diced bell peppers for extra color and sweetness. The only thing that would've made it a 5-star dish for me is if it had a bit more of a Latin twist - maybe some diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for that cheesy vibe. Still, it's a great base recipe that I'd def recommend to my fellow veggie friends. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go experiment with some vegan quesadillas