Vermicelli/Semiya Upma

Semiya Upma

This is one of our family's favorite breakfasts and my husband craves for this dish quite frequently.Growing up i have always had semiya/vermicelli as a sweet but never imagined we can also make a yummy upma using it.Semiya upma comes to my rescue whenever i need to cook something quick.The best part of this dish is that it can be had by itself without any sides like chutney/pickle/sauce.


Ingredients

- 2 cups Vermicelli/Semiya(I prefer roasted one to normal as it is not very sticky and easy to handle)
- 5 cups water
- Salt per taste
- 1 Carrot(finely chopped)
- 1/2 medium onion(thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup peas/lima beans
- 1 tomato(thinly sliced)
- 1.5 Tbsp oil
- 1 Tbsp peanuts
- 1/2 tsp chana dal
- 3 Green chillies(slit lengthwise)
- 2 Dried red chillies
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 strand curry leaves(8-10 approx)
- 1/2 inch ginger finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Cashewnuts(optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Vegetables of your choice(optional vegetables include green beans)

Recipe

- Boil 5 cups of water in a large vessel ,add vermicelli to it along with salt and 1 tsp oil.
- Once Semiya is cooked ,drain the water using a strainer ,run it under cool water and keep it aside to drain off the remaining water.
- Heat the remaining oil in a non-stick pan,add cumin seeds,mustard seeds,chana dal,groundnuts,curry leaves,cashewnuts,chillies,ginger and fry for 3 minutes.
- Add the onions,carrot,peas,vegetables and tomato and cook for another 3-4 minutes.Add salt to it.
- Now add cooked semiya to the pan and mix all together.Cook for 2 minutes with lid closed.
- Add lemon juice to the pulao and stir properly.