Shelter-in-Place Comfort Food: Upma

In COVID times, a trip to the grocery store or a restaurant is an all-day event. From entering with full armor to spraying down every bit of your groceries, it’s good to have a few quick and easy recipes for when you think you’re just about to lose your shit. One of our favorite recipes during shelter-in-place is Upma. If you’re unfamiliar with this dish, it’s a South Indian dish that has a porridge-like texture.

This porridge is jussssssst right.

Bare-bones Must Have:

Ingredients: 

Serving Size: 2 People

  • 1 CUP SUJI (SEMINOLA) FLOUR 
  • 3 CUPS WATER 
  • ½ CUP FROZEN PEAS
  • 1 SMALL ONION, FINELY CHOPPED
  • 1 TSP MUSTARD SEEDS
  • SALT TO TASTE
  • 8 CURRY LEAVES 
  • 1 CHOPPED GREEN CHILI (for extra spice)
  • 2 TEASPOON OIL OR GHEE 
  • 1/2 LEMON

Instructions: 

STEP 1: Heat oil or ghee on mid-to-high heat.

STEP 2: Toss in onions, peas, curry leaves, and chopped green chili and stir for a couple of minutes. 

STEP 3: Toss in black mustard seeds. If they are dancing we’re in good shape. If not, keep it on mid-to-high heat, until they start hopping.   

STEP 4: Once mustard seeds start poppin’ and lockin’, turn the head down to a low heat. 

STEP 5: Stir gently until the suji (seminola flour) is light brown.  

STEP 6: Once the suji is light brown, add water and stir vigorously.

STEP 7: Add salt, squeeze lemon over the upma and continue to stir. Once it has a creamy, porridge like texture place into a bowl. If it’s a bit dry, keep adding bits of water until it has a creamy texture.

STEP 7: Serve hot and enjoy!

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