Recipes

Introduction

Barnyard Millet Upma, also known as Kuthiraivaali Upma, is a nutritious and flavorful dish perfect for a quick, healthy meal. This easy-to-make recipe features the wholesome goodness of barnyard millet combined with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, making it ideal for breakfast or a light lunch.

Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Serves: 2

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• Roasted Barnyard Millet: 1/2 cup
• Chopped Cabbage: 1/4 cup
• Frozen Peas: 1/4 cup
• Grated Coconut: 2 tbsp
• Salt: To taste

For Tempering

• Mustard Seeds: 1/4 tsp
• Urad Dal: 1 tsp
• Channa Dal: 1 tsp
• Finely Chopped Ginger: 1/2 inch
• Asafoetida: 1/8 tsp
• Curry Leaves: A few
• Coconut Oil: 2 tsp

To Roast and Grind

• Toor Dal: 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds: 1 tsp
• Peppercorns: 1/2 tsp
• Red Chili: 1

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Blend

• Dry roast the toor dal, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and red chili until aromatic.
• Grind into a coarse powder and set aside.

2. Temper the Spices

• Heat coconut oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds, urad dal, and channa dal, letting them sizzle.
• Add ginger, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Sauté until fragrant.

3. Add Vegetables

• Stir in chopped cabbage and peas. Cook for 2–3 minutes.

4. Combine the Ingredients

• Add the roasted spice blend to the pan and mix well.
• Pour in 1 1/2 cups of water and season with salt.
• Stir in grated coconut and chopped coriander leaves.

5. Cook the Millet

• Add roasted barnyard millet and mix until evenly coated.
• Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 2–3 minutes on low heat.

6. Serve

• Fluff the upma with a fork and serve hot with pickle or coconut chutney.

Tips and Variations

• Vegetable Options: Add carrots, beans, or spinach for more variety.
• Millet Alternatives: Substitute barnyard millet with foxtail millet or little millet.
• Spice Level: Adjust the number of chilies to suit your taste.

Why Choose Barnyard Millet?

Barnyard millet is rich in fiber and essential nutrients, making it a healthy alternative to rice. Its light texture and mild flavor pair well with spices and vegetables.