Vermicelli Upma

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  Every Saturday morning brings the same dreadful question - "What shall I make for breakfast?" Saturdays are special. Weekday breakfast ranges from toaster waffles to just buttered toast. Sometimes the kids settle with chocolate chip or Oreo cookies and milk. Yes, milk is a must but the sides keep changing. I do not actually make breakfast on weekdays other than may be eggs. Sunday is special too but by the time Sunday comes by, I am already sad that Monday will be here soon. So I don't so much on Sundays. Sunday is booked for sulking & being sad. 

Saturday however is special. It brings the joy of the weekend. It has no meetings. It has no prior commitments. It is just "Saturday". 

I try to cook a hot breakfast for every Saturday. Out of all our family favorites, the Vermicelli upma is the second best choice (Poha being the first one). 


This upma is loaded with vegetables & aromatics like curry leaves & sometimes it has roasted groundnuts too. Overall, this is a good choice for breakfast if you are looking for something hot & healthy for the entire family. This is a one-pot recipe too, so you don't have to clean much. 



What I used

  • 1.5 cups roasted vermicelli
  • 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables (thawed)
    • Carrots
    • Corn
    • Green beans
    • Green peas
  • 1/4 white onion - chopped finely
  • 1 sprig of curry leaves (around 12 leaves)
  • 2 tbsp mustard oil
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp kitchen king masala powder (Replace with cumin-coriander powder)
  • 3 cups water
  • Salt + Turmeric (per taste)
  • A heavy bottom pan with cover
  • Wooden spatula
Process
  • Heat mustard oil in the heavy bottom pan
  • Once oil is hot, add the mustard seeds & cumin seeds and let them splutter
  • Once done, add the onions & let them fry for 2 mins
  • Then add the vegetables & curry leaves (Beware of the over-splutter)
  • Add Salt + Turmeric + Kitchen king masala powder
  • Give it a good mix & cover the pan. Let the veggies cook a little bit. You don't have to cook them entirely because they will steam with water later. 
  • After 3-4 mins, add the vermicelli & mix everything together.
  • Next add the water, give everything a good mix
  • Cover the pan & cook for 7-8 minutes on low-medium flame. 
  • After 8 mins, open the cover & check the vermicelli. It should be cooked. If not, then cover & cook for a little while more. 
  • By the end of 10th minute, all veggies & vermicelli should be cooked through good & soft. 
Enjoy the hot hot upma with hot tea or coffee. This is the perfect start to my perfect Saturday !!

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