South Indian Breakfast Recipe: Try Aval Upma To Bring Something New In Your Healthy Menu

There are a few dishes that make a regular appearance in our breakfast menu - upma being one of them. South Indian upma is a quick and easy dish made with rava or sooji or semolina. There are many variations of upma people experiment with by adding veggies of their choice. Aval upma is another variation that replaces sooji with poha. Poha is another south Indian dish made with thin, flattened rice flakes that are what we know as poha.

Aval upma is also known as atukula upma or poha upma. This upma can be made quickly as poha doesn't need much time to cook as compared to rava upma. You can serve this upma for breakfast or as a healthy evening snack. It would be better to use medium or thick poha variety as the thinly-beaten poha turns soggy while cooking and doesn't add depth to the dish.

(Also Read: Spice Up The Traditional Indian Breakfast With Easy Upma Recipe Ideas)

Recipe of aval upma -
 

Ingredients -

200 grams (2 small bowls poha)

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 boiled potato, crushed

1 tomato, chopped

1 green chilli

Half teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)

Juice of half lemon

1 medium sprig of curry leaves

Half teaspoon mustard seeds (rai)

One teaspoon chana dal

One teaspoon urad dal

1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)

Half tablespoon peanuts

Half tablespoon cashews

Salt to taste

Method -

Step 1 - Put poha in a large sieve or colander and run it through water. Make sure all the poha flakes are covered in water. Set the colander aside to drain the excess water.

Step 2 - Heat 1-2 tablespoon ghee in a pan, add hing and mustard seeds and wait till they crackle. Then add chana dal and urad dal and saute till they turn golden brown in colour.

Step 3 - Add onions, green chillies and curry leaves and let them cook for some time.

Step 4 - When onions turn brown, add tomatoes, turmeric powder and salt. Let the tomatoes cook.

Step 5 - Add boiled potatoes and carrots and saute till the veggies wilt.

Step 6 - Add poha, mix well and let is cook for 2 minutes while stirring continuously. Cover the pan for another 2-3 minutes to let the steam cook poha properly.

Step 7 - Sprinkle lemon juice and serve hot.

This aval upma or poha upma is a healthy option to make for a power-packed breakfast. It is filling, nutritious, flavourful and, of course, delicious.