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Samba Rava Upma

Samba Rava Upma

Samba Rava Upma is a popular South Indian dish made from samba rava, a coarser semolina variant. It’s prepared by roasting the rava and then cooking it with sautéed vegetables, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies, all flavored with spices. The dish is typically light, nutritious, and often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. It’s known for its unique texture and comforting taste.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 700 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Samba Rava (coarse broken wheat)
  • 2 tablespoon Oil or ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Urad dal
  • 1 teaspoon Chana dal
  • 1-2 Green chilies, slit
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 Carrot, finely chopped
  • ¼ Cup Peas (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ Inch ginger, grated
  • 1 Sprig curry leaves
  • 2.5 Cup Water
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
  • Lemon juice (optional)

Instructions
 

Dry Roasting the Samba Rava

  • First, heat a pan over medium heat. Then, add the Samba rava to the pan. Next, dry roast it until it becomes slightly golden and gives off a nutty smell.
  • Stir constantly to stop it from burning. This is important because it helps the rava cook evenly and prevents it from sticking together later.
  • Next, put the roasted rava on a plate and set it aside.

Preparing the Seasoning

  • Then, in the same pan, heat some oil or ghee. Once it's hot, add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
  • Next, add urad dal and chana dal. Stir them until they turn golden brown.
  • Then, add green chilies, curry leaves, and grated ginger. Sauté for a minute to bring out their flavors.

Cooking the Vegetables

  • Next, add the chopped onions to the pan. Sauté them until they become see-through.
  • Then, stir in the chopped carrots and peas. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes until they start to get soft.
  • Make sure the vegetables are cooked the way you like them before moving on.

Combining Everything

  • Next, pour in 2.5 cups of water, add some salt, and bring it to a boil.
  • Then, slowly add the roasted Samba rava to the boiling water while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  • Next, lower the heat, cover the pan, and let it cook until the rava soaks up all the water and is soft, which should take about 8-10 minutes.
  • If you like your upma softer, you can add a bit more water at this stage.

Finishing Touches

  • Once the upma is cooked, turn off the heat.
  • Next, add fresh coriander leaves on top and squeeze some lemon juice if you want.
  • Finally, serve the upma hot and enjoy it with coconut chutney or pickle for a tasty meal!

Notes

Variations

1. Vegetable Upma: If you want it to be healthier, add more vegetables like bell peppers, beans, or tomatoes.
2. Spicy Upma: If you like it hot, sprinkle in some red chili powder or crushed black pepper while cooking.
3. Nutty Upma: You can also add cashews or peanuts for a crunchy bite. Just sauté them with the dal and mustard seeds!

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Samba Rava Upma Recipe 

1. Roast the Rava: First, dry roast the samba rava in a pan until it’s slightly golden. This makes it taste nuttier and helps it cook better.
2. Use Fresh Veggies: Next, add fresh vegetables like peas, carrots, and bell peppers. They add color and healthy nutrients!
3. Check Water Amount: For every cup of samba rava, use about 2.5 cups of water. If you want a firmer upma, use less water; for a softer one, add a bit more.
4. Add Flavors: Before adding water and rava, sauté spices like mustard seeds and green chilies in oil. This makes the upma super tasty right from the start.
5. Let it Rest: After cooking, let the upma sit for a few minutes. This helps it firm up, making it easier to serve and even more flavorful.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Samba Rava Upma
Amount per Serving
Calories
700
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
25
g
38
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
15
g
Sodium
 
800
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
800
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
 
110
g
37
%
Fiber
 
10
g
42
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
18
g
36
%
Vitamin A
 
800
IU
16
%
Vitamin B1
 
0.3
mg
20
%
Vitamin B2
 
0.1
mg
6
%
Vitamin B3
 
3
mg
15
%
Vitamin B5
 
0.5
mg
5
%
Vitamin B6
 
0.2
mg
10
%
Vitamin C
 
10
mg
12
%
Vitamin E
 
2
mg
13
%
Vitamin K
 
5
µg
5
%
Calcium
 
50
mg
5
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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