South Indian Style Grits / Upma is a breakfast dish that is very popular in South India.
The main difference between grits and semolina is that Grits is made from corn while
semolina/ sooji is made from wheat. Sooji is very commonly used in most parts of India and is used for making savory recipes like Upma, crepes and also for desserts like halwa etc.
What makes Upma so special?
It is a very simple, quick, one pot, healthy breakfast recipe which can also be made for an evening snack. There are so many variations to this recipe. Some people add tomatoes, some add garam masala, some add chana dal etc. This is one of those recipes where every household has their own way of making it and whatever way it is made it will be delicious!
South Indian Style Grits/Upma recipe:
Serves (2-3)
- Oil / Butter – 1 tbsp
- Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
- Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
- Green chili – 1/2 tbsp (minced)
- Curry leaf – 1/2 tsp ( 3-4 leaves, minced)
- Onions – 3/4 cup (heaped, minced)
- Water – 3 cups
- Salt – 1/2 tsp ( or adjust as per taste)*
- Semolina / Sooji – 1 cup
- Cilantro – 1/2 tbsp
- Place a saucepan over medium heat and put oil in it.
- Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add cumin seeds, green chili, curry leaf, onions.
- Fry the mixture until onions are translucent.
- Add water and salt and bring everything to a boil.
- Stir the pot and add semolina into the mixture simultaneously.**
- Remove the pot from heat, close the lid and let it rest for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish it with cilantro and serve.***
*Taste the water before adding semolina. If required, add more salt at this point.
**The technique of good upma depends on stirring the water and adding semolina slowly. If it is done this way, there will not be any lumps and it will be creamy.
***For additional flavor, few drops of lemon juice can be added before serving, but don’t add the lemon when upma is on the heat.
Eat Healthy! Live Happy!
Soumya
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